Introduction

Given its climatic diversity and ecological richness, Iran possesses strategic capacities in the field of natural tourism, which facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals, job creation, and the enhancement of quality of life; in this context, the city of Semirom, benefiting from unique natural attributes such as mountainous landscapes, waterfalls, and a favorable climate, holds a distinguished position among ecotourism destinations and exerts a significant potential for fostering urban vitality and socio-physical dynamism. Nevertheless, despite the significance of these components, the correlation between the spatial dimensions of natural tourism and the promotion of urban vitality in Semirom is characterized by a theoretical and empirical research gap, as the absence of comprehensive development approaches—which often results in neglecting the bio-psycho-social and environmental consequences—has hindered the optimal utilization of indigenous potentials. Accordingly, aiming to address this research gap, the present study analyzes the spatial impacts of nature-based tourism and its role in the urban vitality of Semirom; by elucidating the connections between the research variables, it seeks to answer the central question: What is the status of the spatial dimensions of nature-based tourism and its role in the urban vitality of Semirom?

Methodology

The present study is applied in terms of objective and descriptive-analytical in nature, employing a survey-based approach to elucidate the role of natural tourism in promoting urban vitality and sustainability in the city of Semirom. Data collection was conducted through both documentary and field methods; the documentary phase involved extracting theoretical foundations, literature reviews, and conceptual frameworks from reputable academic sources, while the field phase utilized a researcher-made questionnaire for data gathering. The questionnaire is structured into two sections: the first pertains to the demographic characteristics of respondents, and the second comprises 40 specialized items related to the economic, social, environmental, and physical-welfare dimensions of natural tourism (10 items per dimension), alongside 15 items associated with the concept of urban vitality, all designed based on a five-point Likert scale. The statistical population includes local residents, with a sample size of 200 participants determined via Cochran’s formula and selected through a simple random sampling technique. To assess the reliability of the instrument, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated for the entire questionnaire, yielding a value of 0.883, which indicates highly favorable internal consistency and high validity of the measurement tool. Data analysis was performed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically employing the one-sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient within the SPSS software environment to evaluate the status of the indicators. Furthermore, to investigate the causal relationships between variables and measure the impact of natural tourism dimensions on urban vitality, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS software to precisely and systematically test the theoretical relationship structure of the research.

Results and discussion

Research findings indicate that the spatial dimensions of nature-based tourism in the city of Semirom are in a favorable state. Results from the one-sample t-test revealed that the economic, social, environmental, and physical-amenity dimensions were rated above average; this can be attributed to Semirom’s natural areas, apple orchards, waterfalls, and mountainous landscapes, as well as the city's spatial connectivity to these natural assets. However, fully leveraging these potentials depends on enhancing accessibility, infrastructure, and tourism services, and establishing effective linkages between the natural areas and the city's spatial structure. Furthermore, the results of the second-order measurement model indicated that the social dimension—with a factor loading of 0.98—is the strongest dimension explaining nature-based tourism. This finding can be attributed to the spatial characteristics of Semirom and the role played by the natural spaces surrounding the city in fostering settings for presence, gathering, leisure, and interaction among citizens and tourists. Indeed, the distribution of natural attractions and tourism spaces around the city—provided there is adequate accessibility—can enhance social presence and the collective use of these spaces. Furthermore, the structural model results indicated that nature-based tourism has a positive and significant impact on urban vitality, with a path coefficient of 0.33. This relationship can be explained by the role of natural areas and tourism spaces in creating leisure opportunities, enhancing public presence, and fostering social interactions within the spatial structure of Semirom. Consequently, the better the connectivity and accessibility between the urban fabric and its surrounding natural assets, the greater the citizens' ability to utilize these spaces, thereby boosting urban dynamism and vitality.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be concluded that urban vitality in Semirom can be enhanced through the integrated utilization of natural, spatial, social, and economic assets. Nature-based tourism acts as a bridge between nature and urban life; by fostering opportunities for presence, leisure, activity, and social interaction, it can strengthen the connection between the city and its surrounding natural environment. Realizing this potential requires coordinated management across environmental conservation, spatial quality, accessibility and infrastructure, social participation, and the local economy. Accordingly, the study’s most significant finding is that nature in Semirom should not be viewed merely as a collection of isolated attractions external to the urban structure; rather, it must be integrated into the city's spatial and social systems within the context of tourism planning and the enhancement of urban vitality. Such an approach can transform Semirom’s natural assets from mere potential advantages into a driving force for creating a dynamic, inclusive city characterized by a balanced relationship between the urban environment and nature.