Master's Thesis
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2008:126 MASTER'S THESIS Ecotourism Development in Isfahan Challenges and Opportunities Shima Karimi Luleå University of Technology Master Thesis, Continuation Courses Marketing and e-commerce Department of Business Administration and Social Sciences Division of Industrial marketing and e-commerce 2008:126 - ISSN: 1653-0187 - ISRN: LTU-PB-EX--08/126--SE University of Isfahan Lulea University of Technology Master Thesis Ecotourism Development in Isfahan: Challenges and Opportunities Supervisor: Prof. Iran Ghazi Supervisor: Dr. Joao Sarmento By: Shima Karimi Lulea University of Technology Department of Business Administration and Social Science Division of Industrial Marketing and E-commerce December 2007 i Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Isfahan ecotourism. This research describes the challenges of Isfahan ecotourism and explores the opportunities in this city. The research is a developing research. Data gathered through interviews, field work, using of different web sites, magazines, e-books, theses and scientific reports. This research is worked on the basis of a model and described that there must be a governmental strategic plan and framework on the basis of this model. The research is a qualitative and descriptive. Data gathered through archival records and interviews and direct observation. From conducting this research some important findings explored. It seems that as a result of findings, Isfahan province enjoys appropriate situations and advantages for developing ecotourism but they have not been introduced in previous years in a proper manner and there is not desired spatial arrangement and planning and linkage between them. Performed actions are limited to preservation and maintenance and restoration of a few historical constructions in Isfahan. According to this research there must be a comprehensive and spatial planning and framework for development of ecotourism in Isfahan. Two case studies on rural tourism development in Garmeh and Khafr villages have been researched for which a comprehensive field work was carried out. This is the first attempt in evaluating rural tourism development in the province of Isfahan. The results obtained confirm the questions of this research are: i 1- Government must have the sufficient capital for tourism development. 2- Private and public investment must be considered as well. 3- There must be a national spatial and strategic plan for ecotourism development for Iran which Isfahan is part of it. 4- With regard to that model that I‘ve mentioned, all the stakeholders must be shared in this strategic plan. 5- Demand and supply must be analyzed. 6- A special organization which conducts ecotourism affairs must be created. 7- Participation of people also is needed for ecotourism development. 8- All the ecotourism potentials must be analyzed and it must show on tourism maps and also all the tourism paths must be distinguished.) Key words: tourism, ecotourism, sustainable tourism, attractions, tourism planning ii Acknowledgements First of all I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors, Professor Dr. Iran Ghazi and Dr. Joao Sarmento for their intelligent guidance and helpful and essential advices and comments throughout the time I have been working on my thesis. There are several people that I would like to thank for contributing to the quality of this research. I would like to begin with thanking Mr.Mirzaee at Isfahan Plan & Budget Organization,“ for his help. In addition, I would like to thank Mr. Moshiri, responsible for Plan for Land Society for his helpful guidelines related to Khafr village. I also would like to thank Mr. Al- Davood for his assistance in collecting data related to Garmeh village. I also would like to thank my dear friend, Mahshad Torkan for her helpful replies to my e-mails and her papers which were very helpful in my research. Finally, I would like to thank my loved ones. I would specially thank my husband, for his support, love and bearing me during this whole while, my dear brother for his help and my mother and father for their endless helps and affection. Carrying on my study and passing the period of this research have never been possible without the help of one by one of them. iii Table of contents: Abstract..............................................................................................................................i Acknowledgement............................................................................................................iii Table of contents ..............................................................................................................iv List of tables and figures .................................................................................................xi 1) Chapter1: Introduction............................................................................ 1 1.1- Problem statement ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2- Problem significance .................................................................................................. 3 1.3- Literature Review ....................................................................................................... 4 1.4- Research Objectives ................................................................................................... 4 1.5-Hypotheses or questions of research ........................................................................... 5 1.6-Research methods........................................................................................................ 5 1.7- Application of Research Results................................................................................. 5 1.8-Reseach Limitations .................................................................................................... 6 2) Chapter2: Literature Review ................................................................... 8 2.1- Ecotourism.................................................................................................................. 8 2.2- Sustainable tourism.................................................................................................... 10 2.3- Introduction of tourism.............................................................................................. 12 2.4- Position of Iran .......................................................................................................... 15 2.5- Tourism history in Iran.............................................................................................. 17 2.5.1- Medes & Achaemenid Period.......................................................................... 17 iv 2.5.2- Arsacid Period ................................................................................................. 18 2.5.3- Sassanid Period................................................................................................ 18 2.5.4- Islamic Period.................................................................................................. 18 2.5.5- Safavid Period & Before that........................................................................... 19 2.5.6- Qajar Period & 19 th century............................................................................. 21 2.6- Trend of tourism in Iran ............................................................................................ 26 2.7- Tourism in Isfahan Province...................................................................................... 29 2.8- Problems of tourism & ecotourism sector of Isfahan................................................ 38 2.9- Capabilities & potentials of eco-tourism in Isfahan .................................................. 39 2.10- Major Resources of Isfahan..................................................................................... 39 2.11- Ability of producing trip & number of tourists ....................................................... 40 2.12- Future perspective based on present situation ......................................................... 41 2.13- Advantages & disadvantages of tourism in Isfahan Province ................................. 45 2.13.1- Advantages of tourism................................................................................... 46 2.13.2- Disadvantages of tourism .............................................................................. 46 2.14- Controlling factors of the future of tourism in Isfahan Province ............................ 47 2.14.1- Considering tourism motivations................................................................... 47 2.14.2- Systematic approach of tourism and ecotourism development ..................... 48 2.14.3-Considering all the requirements of tourism development............................. 48 2.14.4- Considering factors in increasing Demand & Income................................... 49 2.14.5- Investment in development of tourism activity ............................................. 49 2.14.6- Providing political & social stability............................................................. 50 2.14.7- Improving the culture of hospitable society ................................................... 50 v 2.14.8- Presentation & development of handicrafts & price stabilization.................. 51 2.14.9- Services required for tourism and ecotourism development .......................... 52 2.14.10- Proper organizational structure....................................................................