Developing strategic planning for the sustainability of the natural environment in areas with tourism capability the Case study of Lashkarak-Dizin tourist axis

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Urban Planning, Dubai branch, Islamic Azad University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2 Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Architecture, Central Tehran branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
This research aims to investigate environmental issues, their destructive effects, and their roles and potentials in attracting tourists to the ecotourism axes, the Lashkark-Dizin axis. The type of applied research and the method of that research is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of this research is 3 statistical population of experts, people living in the studied axis, tourists entering the studied axis, and the sample size based on the random sampling method is 30 people for the first community, 200 people for the second community, and 150 people for the third community. In this regard, the final evaluation of the value of the waterfalls along the path and the green tourist routes and sports facilities of the Lashkark-Dizin axis, the results of this method show that the economic index is 0.859 and the standard of amenities and services is the highest with 0.842. They have played a role in attracting tourists as well as investment purposes. The results of the network analysis model also show that economic activity development indicators with a value of 0.157 have played the greatest role in the destruction of the environmental resources of the Lashkar-Dizin axis. In the next order, the change of uses, such as the change of use from agriculture and gardens to commercial; change of use from residential to commercial; Change of use from agriculture and gardens to facilities and equipment; The change of use from parks to residential and tourism centres with a rate of 0.098 has had a significant impact on the destruction of the environmental resources of this axis.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Today, tourism is one of the most important opportunities for environmental sustainability. Because environments have always been fragile and sensitive to the changes and destructions caused by tourism. The culture of tourism will definitely help the fields of environmental sustainability. The sustainability of tourism is based on the concept of sustainable development, in which the need to maintain the interaction between humans and the environment is discussed. The lack of interaction between humans and the environment causes widespread environmental problems. For years, environmental scientists and ecologists have identified the increase in economic activities as an important factor in the depletion and destruction of natural resources and have shown that with the increase in economic activities, the stability and flexibility of ecosystems has been seriously threatened.
 
Methodology
This research is descriptive-analytical according to the goals and components of applied research and its research method. The statistical population is domestic and foreign tourists. The statistical sample is calculated based on random sampling. Based on this, the statistical population of this research is 3 statistical populations of experts, people living in the study area, tourists entering the study area, and the sample size is 30 people for the first community, 200 people for the second community, and 150 people for the third community. In order to use the questionnaire, its validity and reliability will be evaluated. In connection with the validity, the coefficient of the ability of the questionnaire is proposed, the range of the ability coefficient is from zero (no correlation) to +1 (complete correlation). The reliability coefficient indicates how much the measuring instrument measures the subject's stable characteristics or variable and temporary characteristics.
 
Result and Discussion
Lavasan is one of the cities of Lavasanat district, Shemiranat city, Tehran province, Iran. This city is the center of Lavasanat district. Lavasanat section includes many areas, but the body of Lavasan city from west to east is the neighborhoods of Lashgark, Bagh Sarhang Gharib, Noushani, Astlak, Tok Farzah, Astlak Bayan (Kashfia), Chenarban, Ahmedabad, Basti, Shurkab, Jaij (Jaj), Glenduk. (Golham Do Rudak), Najarkla (including Seyed Piyaz), Dastgerd, Ghaziabad, Naran, Kalak, Bagh Dere, Cebu Koch, Timur Abad, Nazim Abad and Cebu Big. The city of Lavasan is located in the northeast of Tehran city and is considered as the closest summer area of Tehran city. According to the research findings, if the relationship between nature tourism and environmental protection is two-way, it is beneficial and there is hope for its sustainability. In addition, the current and future needs of the host population should be anticipated and the future generations will also benefit from them. become Therefore, the conditions for the continuation of ecotourism in the Lashkarak-Dizin route are the support of local people, the involvement of local communities in the management of this activity, and the fair distribution of benefits among people. Indicators of development of economic activities include the construction of accommodation centers such as hotels, guesthouses; Construction of business-service units; Construction of roadside service centers; Establishing tourist camps; The construction of urban facilities and equipment has played the biggest role in destroying the environmental resources of Lashkarak-Dizin axis.
 
Conclusion
In this research, in order to determine the value of each of the attractions and capabilities of Lashkarak-Dizin tourist center using the Prolong method, the network analysis model has been used to analyze the effect of various indicators in the development of Lashkarak-Dizin center tourism. In this regard, the final evaluation of the value of the waterfalls along the
 
route and the green tourist routes and sports places of Lashkarak-Dizin axis, the results of this method show that the economic index with a value of 0.859 and the standard of comfort and service facilities as well With 0.842, they have played the biggest role in attracting tourists and also investment goals in such a way that this can indicate the extent of expansion of economic activities related to ecotourism development in the studied axis, which in the absence of environmental protection planning. Environment, the change of extensive uses from agriculture and gardens to economic activities can change the face of the virgin and natural environment and lead to climate changes in the region. The results of the network analysis model also show that the indicators of the development of economic activities include the construction of accommodation centers such as hotels, guesthouses; Construction of business-service units; Construction of roadside service centers; Establishing tourist camps; The construction of urban facilities and equipment, etc., with a value of 0.157, has played the greatest role in destroying the environmental resources of Lashkarak-Dizin axis. In the next order, the change of uses, such as the change of use from agriculture and gardens to commercial; change of use from residential to commercial; Change of use from agriculture and gardens to facilities and
 
equipment; The change of use from gardens to residential and tourism centers, etc., with a rate of 0.098, has had a great impact on the destruction of the environmental resources of this axis. The impact of these changes in uses is so impressive that sometimes it can lead to extensive climate changes in a region. The attraction of tourism, which is the result of the existence of tourist facilities and amenities and services in an area along with the existence of natural attractions, has a direct relationship with the destruction of environmental resources, so that with the increase of amenities and services in a touristic area, ecological capacities and capabilities The area will be threatened with high population density.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords


  1. 1) Alonso, M. d. M. (2013).Environmental management in tourism: students’ perceptions and managerial practice in restaurants from a gender perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 60, 1-12.
  2. 2) Becken, S. (2007). Tourists' Perception of International Air Travel's Impact on the Global Climate and Potential Climate Change Policies. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 15(4), 1-12.
  3. 3) Braun, B., & Soskin, M. (2002), Theme park competitive strategies. Annals of Tourism Research, 26(2), 1127-1138.
  4. 4) Braun, O. L., Lohmann, M., Maksimovic, O., Meyer, M., Merkovic, A., Messerschmidt, E., Riedel, A., & Turner, M. (1999).Potential impact of climate change effects on preferences for tourism destinations, A psychological pilot study. Climatic Research, 11, 127-138.
  5. 5) Burak, S.A., Dogan, E., & Gazioglu, C. (2004). Impact of urbanization and tourism on coastal environment. Ocean & Coastal Management, 47(9), 515-527.
  6. 6) Canavan, B. (2016). Tourism culture: Nexus, characteristics, context and sustainability. Tourism Management, 53, 571-583.
  7. 7) Corbin, A. (1995). The Lure of the Sea. The Discovery of the Seaside in the Western World 1750-1840. London
  8. 8) Destek, M. A. (2019). Investigation on the role of economic, social, and political globalization on environment: evidence from CEECs. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 1-14.
  9. 9) Dolnicar, S. (2008). Market segmentation in tourism, İn: Woodside, A.G., Martin, D., editors. Tourism Management: Analysis, Behaviour and Strategy. Cambridge: CAB International
  10. Font, X., & Ahjem, T. (1999). Searching for a balance in tourism development strategies. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 11, 111-127.
  11. Freitas, C, R, de. (2003). Tourism climatology: evaluating environmental information for decision making and business planning in the recreation and tourism sector. J. Biometeorol, 48, 1-13.
  12. Inskeep, E. (1991). Tourism Planning: An Integrated and Sustainable Development Approach. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  13. Goudie, A.S. & Viles, H.A. (2013). The Earth Transformed: An Introduction to Human Impacts on the Environment. John Wiley & Sons.
  14. Holden, A. (2008). Environment and Tourism. London, Routledge
  15. Hsieha, H. J., & Shiann Far, K. (2013). the linkage analysis of environmental impact of tourism industry. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 17, 111-123.
  16. Katircioglu, S. T. (2014). International tourism, energy consumption, and environmental pollution: The case of Turkey, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 36, 1-14.
  17. Lemos, C. C., Thomas, B. F., & Marcelo, P. S. (2012). Strategic environmental assessment in tourism planning — Extent of application and quality of documentation. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 35, 1-12.
  18. Lee, J. W., Brahmasrene, T. (2018). Investigating the influence of tourism on economic growth and carbon emissions: Evidence from panel analysis of the European Union. Tourism Management, 38, 69-76.
  19. 19) Liu, C.H., Gwo-Hshiung, T., & Ming-Huei, L. (2012) Improving tourism policy implementation–The use of hybrid MCDM models. Tourism Management, 33, 1-12.
  20. Lockwood, A., & Medlik, S. (Eds) (2003), Tourism and hospitality in the 21st century. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann
  21. Löfgren, O. (2002) On Holiday: a history of vacationing. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  22. Laws, E. (1991). Tourism Marketing: Service and Quality Management Perspectives. Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd.
  23. Lozano- Oyola, M., Blancas, J.F., González, M., & Rafael, C. (2012). Sustainable tourism indicators as planning tools in cultural destinations, Spain: Malaga University. Ecological Indicators, 18, 659-675.
  24. Malik, M. I., & Sultan Bhat, M. (2015), Sustainability of tourism development in Kashmir — is paradise lost?. Tourism Management Perspectives, 16, 1-12.
  25. Martin-Cejas, R.R., & Sánchez, P.P.R. (2021). Ecological footprint analysis of road transport related to tourism activity: The case for Lanzarote Island. Tourism Management, 31(1), 98-103.
  26. Mieczkowski, Z. (1995). Environmental Issues of Tourism and Recreation. University Press of America.
  27. Preston-Whyte, R. (2004). The beach as a liminal space. In: Lew C, Hall M, Williams AM, editors. A companion to tourism, Malden: Blackwell.
  28. Saint Akadiri, S., Alola, A. A., & Akadiri, A. C. (2019). The role of globalization, real income, tourism in environmental sustainability target. Evidence from Turkey. Science of the total environment, 687, 423-432.
  29. Scott, D., Geoff, M., & Michael, S. (2004). Climate change and the distribution of climatic resources for tourism in North America, department of geography. university of waterloo,200 university avenue west, waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
  30. Tang, C.H.H. & Jang, S.S. (2019). The tourism–economy causality in the United States: A sub-industry level examination. Tourism Management, 30(4), 553-558.
  31. Tekken, V., & Jürgen, P. K. (2015), Sustainable water management - perspectives for tourism development in north-eastern Morocco. Tourism Management Perspectives, 16, 1-12.
  32. Wang, J., & Ritchie, B.W. (2012), Understanding accommodation manager’s crisis planning intention: An application of the theory of planned behavior. Tourism Management, 33, 1-12.
  33. Zhang, J., & Mei Ji, Y. Z. (2015). Tourism sustainability in Tibet – Forward planning using a systems approach. Ecological Indicators, 56, 1-12.
  34. Zhang, L., & Gao, J. (2018). Exploring the effects of international tourism on China's economic growth, energy consumption and environmental pollution: Evidence from a regional panel analysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 53, 225–234.
  35. UNWTO (2021). United Nations World Tourism Organization. UNWTO Tourism Highlights Edition.