چكيده لاتين
Nature-based tourism, as a significant branch of tourism, plays a crucial role in the economic, social, and cultural development of rural areas. The rural regions of Mahan District in Kerman County, endowed with rich natural attractions and cultural heritage, possess a high potential for tourism development. However, structural and environmental constraints limit the full utilization of these capacities. This study aims to identify the challenges and potentials of nature-based tourism in rural areas and to propose prioritized strategies for sustainable tourism development. The present research is descriptive-analytical and quantitative. Data were collected through questionnaires from 60 local residents and tourists, as well as 15 tourism experts. SWOT analysis was employed to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, while the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritize development strategies. The findings indicate that the main internal challenges include insufficient facilities for tourists (final weight = 0.469), inadequate accommodation infrastructure (0.441), and rural population aging and migration (0.376), whereas the primary external threats involve water supply issues (0.570), degradation of landscapes and natural attractions (0.527), and destruction of native habitats (0.390). On the other hand, the most significant internal strengths comprise natural attractions (0.448), historical village textures and structures (0.446), and local culture and hospitality (0.438), while external opportunities include the potential for nature-based tours (0.414), enhancement of rural transportation networks (0.376), and investment opportunities in tourism (0.369). Based on AHP analysis, the priority strategies for sustainable rural tourism development are expanding infrastructure services (0.224), attracting private sector investment (0.197), and providing banking facilities and credit allocations (0.190). The results highlight that focusing on infrastructure and investment, alongside community education and leveraging natural and cultural potentials, can accelerate rural tourism development and mitigate existing obstacles.
