Strategic Priorities of Economic Development with an Emphasis on Ecotourism in Khur va Biabanak, Isfahan

Abstract Introduction: With its special geographical and topographical conditions, springs, waterfalls, variety of herbals, wildlife, and historical buildings, Khur va Biabanak has a high capacity to attract tourists. Strategic planning can be a way to exploit these opportunities. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify strategic priorities of economic development with an emphasis on ecotourism in Khur va Biabanak, Isfahan. Instrument and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical research, the data were collected, using library and field method and two groups, including 150 tourists and 30 tourism experts were selected, using available sampling method. To identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as well as to complete the information, the specialists were referred and a list of strategies was prepared. The SWOT model was used to select economic development strategies and the data were analyzed by GIS software. Findings: In External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS), the "diversification of ecotourism attractions" with a weight of 0.069 was the first opportunity and "environmental degradation and damage to historical monuments" with a weight of 0.053 was considered as the most important threat. In the Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) matrix, the most important strength was "the variation of ecotourism attractions in the region" with a weight of 0.069 and the most important weaknesses was "physical and environmental infrastructure shortage" with a weight of 0.063. The directional strategy of this city was a competitive strategy (ST). Conclusion: "The development of cooperation between organizations involved in managing tourist attractions, paying attention to the participation of people, increasing the advertising for the introduction of tourist attractions, and tourist attraction during the year by presenting various types of ecotourism" are the most important strategies for the economic development of tourism in Khur va Biabanak, Isfahan.

Strategic Priorities of Economic Development with an Emphasis on Ecotourism in Khur va Biabanak, Isfahan Keywords:

Spatial planning Development Land Economics Ecotourism Khoor o Biabanak , آمایش , توسعه , اقتصاد سرزمین , اکوتوریسم , خور و بیابانک