Evaluating the ecological and tourism potential of Neor Lake in order to planning of sustainable ecotourism development based on SWOT model

To create a sustainable development and alternative income sources to replace oil resource we need to use all of the facilities and capabilities. In this regard, the tourism industry, especially ecotourism is an activity that many governments are now considered, and is now one of the most lucrative sectors of the global economy. Also at the national level, Economists call it as third dynamic and growing economic phenomenon after oil and automotive industry that is considered as a basic need of the country. Therefore evaluating of the aspects of sustainable development is essential in this industry in various regions of the country. Neor Lake as one of the unique wetland ecosystems is within the Ardabil Province s political territory. Present study, investigates the ecological characteristics of this lake and then discussed its tourism development ability to plan sustainable ecotourism development based on the SWOT model.Methods In this study, was a hybrid (cross, contract, field studies) and towards achieving the Neor Lake ecotourism development to examine the potential and limitations of the industry. Finally, the strategy has been determined for the development of ecotourism industry, Analysis of the obtained data is concluded that vulnerability threshold of the Lake due to its recreational nature is high. And it needs to revision and appropriate policy and using features and capabilities of it. Finally, based on weaknesses point and identified barriers, strategies were presented for sustainable tourism development lakes.

Keywords:

Neor Lake , SWOT , ecological potential , sustainable development , ecotourism