Ecotourism Development Strategy in Hormoz Island Using SWOT Model Homa Zakeri 1, Farah Habib 2 1. Department of Urban Planning and Design, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish Island, Iran 2. Department of Art and Architecture, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran [email protected] Abstract: Ecotourism which is based on environmental capabilities and natural resources is able to provide the field for economic, social and cultural development of local communities by attracting tourists. It can also provide a solution for the optimal use during the conservation of areas under the management if it is combined with the careful planning and regions feasibility in terms of demand, and the opinions of people (visitors and locals). Hormozs land, located on the Persian Gulf, is selected as the subject of this paper due to its long coast line and taking the advantage of cultural and historical heritage (Portuguese fort) and environmental attractions. In this regard, this paper uses the analytical-descriptive method and introduces the values of Hormoz Island in line with the Ecotourism development on the island. Then it used the analysis based on SWOT model and provides strategies for ecotourism development on the island. It also concluded that an integrated management is needed in the coastal areas to balance the fields of architecture, planning and environment, so that the ecotourism development may arise. [Zakeri H, Habin F. Ecotourism Development Strategy in Hormoz Island Using SWOT Model. Am Sci 2021;17(5):21-29]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 3. doi:10.7537/marsjas170521.03. Keywords: Ecotourism, Hormoz Island, SWOT, Development Strategyecies richness; beta-diversity; taxonomic diversity; forest 1. Introduction (Ichiki, 2003). Hormoz Island is located at the mouth of the This paper introduces a set of Hormoz Island Persian Gulf and has many military, political, social, ecotourism capabilities, and by analysis of historical, economic and environmental values and Ecotourism category, suggests that Hormoz Island opportunities. The presence of more become an ecotourism island, concept that requires than5,700inhabitantson the island, the beautiful law enforcement which is respected by local people, landscape around the island, ocher mine, coral reefs, tourists and relevant institutions. Accordingly, the rocky shores, sea caves, various shape and material main research question is: using SWOT what strategy of coastal banks, native vegetation, resident wildlife for ecotourism development of Hormoz Island model on the island, and some cultural and historical can be represented? monuments linked with local life are the features that The underlying assumption in this paper is that attract the tourists. Besides the natural potential regarding the problems of tourism on the Hormoz capacities of Hormoz Island, the variety of historical Island, there is a need for integrated management of and cultural features affects the richness of tourist coastal areas to make balance in the field of activities on the island and can complete the architecture, urbanism and environmental issues. ecotourism. .. Through environmental protection, ecotourism has become a kind of tourism that asks participants 1.1. Research Methods that with regard to the conservation objectives, pay Because this study has focused on ecotourism attention to managing the protected areas. Ecotourism and urbanization categories that one of them relate to is generally easier to define on the islands rather than the field of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the mainland. Because limiting the number of tourists other one relates to architectural and urban areas. In and control their work is done more easily rather than this study, information and data to identify and the mainland. Also, the natural environment of the analyze Hormoz Island is performed based on isolated islands should be preserved in terms of qualitative arguments and in descriptive – analytical biodiversity. Therefore, ecotourism may play an type. important role in economic planning, development . and environmental protection for many islands . .. 21 Journal of American Science 2021;17(5) http://www.jofamericanscience.orgJAS 1.2. The research model areas, are located in developing countries, the number SWOT technique is a tool for identifying threats of visitors travel to the mountains of Nepal, and opportunities in the external environment of Madagascar, tropical forests of Costa Rica, Thailand, system and a recognition of internal strengths and coast of Belize and Sri Lanka is growing every day. weaknesses in order to assess the situation and This will bring tourists and their money, create jobs develop strategies to achieve development. Based on and improve the livelihood of the people. According this model, an appropriate strategy maximizes the to official statistics of tourism organization, percent strengths and the opportunities and minimizes the annual growth in ecotourism is10 to 30 percent and weaknesses and threats to as little as possible. For ecotourists comprise 7% of the total number of this purpose, points of strength and weakness, and passengers in the foreseeable future, so bright and opportunities and threats are linked in four general prosperous future nature will result in significant states of SO, ST, WT, WO and strategies are selected benefits to the world. It results in cultures encounters from among them. and social adaptation, which in turn leads to cultural, social, economic and thinking about different 2. Ecotourism nation’s rehabilitation(Page, Dowling, & Page, Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas, 2001). The World Conservation Union's definition of generally with an emphasis on protecting the ecotourism is: The environmentally responsible travel environment and improving the quality of life that to relatively pristine areas to enjoy the natural can also be called sustainable tourism. Today, environment will result in preserved and promoted ecotourism as a new part of tourism industry has environmental conservation. During this trip, tourists increasingly developed and is considered as an can spend the least negative impact on natural important part of tourism and annual abundance resources and indigenous people benefit from social revenues is given to the different countries. Due to its and economic activities(Walter & Gillett, 1998). nature, this type of tourism takes place in third world According to this definition, ecotourism is countries. Because many of the richest biological created by four essential features listed in Figure 1: Figure 1, the main features of ecotourism, (Holden, 2003) According to Figure 1, the development of the ecotourism features has useful consequences, which is reproduced in Table 1. Table 1: Characteristics of Ecotourism development, (Holden, 2003) Nature field Cultural and Conservation Training Interests of local people environmental sustainability 1.Help to the 1.uses the least amount 1. Includes Training programs 1. provides facilities for the local preservation of of Nonrenewable 2. tourists have functional people biodiversity resources responsibility 2. must be based on the 3. Must be presented to the Participation, ownership and small groups of tourists by economic opportunity for local small business groups people http://www.jofamericanscience.org 22 [email protected] Journal of American Science 2021;17(5) http://www.jofamericanscience.orgJAS . 4. The area of study 3. Ecotourism objectives Hormoz Island is located at the mouth of the Ecotourism increase profits, and thus results Strait of Hormoz in entrance to the Persian Gulf from in more environmental protection. Some part of the Gulf of Oman in the coordinates "10 '25 º 56 to" revenues raised from ecotourism should be devoted 08 '30 º 56 'east longitude and "07 '02 º 27 to" 25 '06 º to environmental conservation. Ecotourism does not 27 north latitude. Due to its geographical position of just mean being green and protecting the natural the island which is located adjacent to the Strait of environment. It must also have the lowest cultural Hormoz, it is called the key of Persian Gulf. This disturbance. situations is what has made the island in strategic and Ecotourism projects must meet the following criteria: commercial terms important. 1. be stable (note: needs to meet the needs of Hormoz Island is limited to Bandar Abbas in the the present without compromising the ability of Northern West and to the Qeshm and Lark islands in future) southern West. Distance between Hormoz Island 2. Give the visitor a unique and an impressive (from the port) and Bandar Abbas is 9.71nautical experience. miles (18 km) to Qeshm island (from Sarbandar) is 3. To maintain environmental quality. also 9.71 miles (18 km) and to the Lark Island (until Holden offers a series of objectives that must be the dock) is also 9.71 miles (18 km). Distance to the included in the ecotourism development process: nearest road to the island's main beach, is 2.9 miles 1. Sustainable Use (5/5 km). 2. cultural revival and decolonization Hormoz Island is an oval-shaped whose small 3. Economic Development and Diversification diameter is 5/5 and Large diameter between is 7.5 to 4. Improvement of Living and humanity 9 km and its area is about 42 square kilometers. 5. Have maximized benefits and minimized According to the latest divisions of the divisions of costs and effects the Interior Ministry approved in 2002,