Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Nature Engineering Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
2 Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
3 Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Ecotourism, or nature-based tourism, is one of the most important forms of tourism that shows the highest compatibility with sustainable livelihoods. It plays a key role in rural sustainable development and livelihood sustainability. The aim of this study is to compare the views of nomads and experts regarding the impacts of ecotourism on the sustainable livelihood of the Turkashvand tribe in Hamadan Province. The statistical population consisted of 45 nomads, of whom 40 were selected using the Krejcie and Morgan table, and 10 experts from the General Office of Nomadic Affairs in Hamadan were selected through a census method. Data were collected using a questionnaire with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.81 for nomads and 0.84 for experts). The results indicated significant differences between the two groups in most of the sustainable livelihood indicators, especially in financial-economic and natural-ecological capitals. However, there was no significant difference regarding the “household labor force” in human capital, and the indicators of “unity and cohesion within customary structures,” “participation,” and “mutual trust among nomads” in social capital. The divergence in viewpoints is attributed to differing perceptions and expectations; for instance, nomads often have short-term and practical expectations, while experts tend to adopt a more strategic and long-term perspective. It is recommended that both groups participate simultaneously in planning processes to effectively utilize ecotourism potential for sustainable livelihood improvement.
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