Analysis of Factors Affecting the Ecotourism Development

Shemshad, Masoomeh; Malek Mohammadi, Iraj

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Ecotourism Development

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

¹ Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the role of natural resources cooperatives in ecotourism development. This was an analysis-descriptive study conducted through survey method. Statically population of study was 123 members of the directors of these cooperatives. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed among the cooperative directors. Census technique was applied in this study. The validity of the questionnaires was proved by panel of counselors and experts of pastures and forests organization. In order to measuring the reliability of the questionnaires, a pilot test was carried out. Result of Alfa-Cronbakh 87% for ecotourism development was obtained. In order to data analyzing was used SPSSwin15 software. Results of stepwise regression test showed that organizing service providers and training local population in cooperatives have positive effects on ecotourism development. Totally those factors explained 50% of effective factors on measure of ecotourism development variable by natural resources cooperatives.

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