Ecotourism development in Isfahan: challenges and
opportunities

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Isfahan ecotourism. This
research describes the challenges of Isfahan ecotourism and explores the
opportunities in this city. The research is a developing research. Data
gathered through interviews, field work, using of different web sites,
magazines, e-books, theses and scientific reports.

This research is worked on the basis of a model and described that there
must be a governmental strategic plan and framework on the basis of this
model.

The research is a qualitative and descriptive. Data gathered through
archival records and interviews and direct observation.
From conducting this research some important findings explored. It seems
that as a result of findings, Isfahan province enjoys appropriate
situations and advantages for developing ecotourism but they have not been
introduced in previous years in a proper manner and there is not desired
spatial arrangement and planning and linkage between
them.

Performed actions are limited to preservation and maintenance and
restoration of a few historical constructions in Isfahan. According to this
research there must be a comprehensive and spatial planning and framework
for development of ecotourism in Isfahan.
Two case studies on rural tourism development in Garmeh and Khafr villages
have been researched for which a comprehensive field work was carried out.
This is the first attempt in evaluating rural tourism development in the
province of Isfahan. The results obtained confirm the questions of this
research are:
1- Government must have the sufficient capital for tourism development.
2- Private and public investment must be considered as well.
3- There must be a national spatial and strategic plan for ecotourism
development for Iran which Isfahan is part of it.
4- With regard to that model that I’ve mentioned, all the stakeholders
must be shared in this strategic plan.
5- Demand and supply must be analyzed.
6- A special organization which conducts ecotourism affairs must be
created.
7- Participation of people also is needed for ecotourism development.
8- All the ecotourism potentials must be analyzed and it must show on
tourism maps and also all the tourism paths must be distinguished.)