ISSN 0976-2612, Online ISSN 2278–599X, Vol-7, Special Issue-Number4-July, 2016, pp407-415
http://www.bipublication.com
Case Report
Investigation of the Role of Tourism Areas in Kerman Province on the Tourism
Development (Case Study: Khaber National Park's tourist area)
Aaliyah Nakhaei Mohammad Aabadi1, Moein Reza Nakhaei Mohammad Aabadi2,
and Hashem Vazirizadeh3
1Corresponding Author: Master of Architecture,
Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch aliyehnakhei@yahoo.com 2Student of Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University of Kerman
3Student of Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University of Qazvin
ABSTRACT
Currently, the tourism industry is one of the major sources of income, employment and infrastructure to achieve sustainable development. Investment in tourism has economic social and even physical consequences. Hence; according to historical valuable historical monuments, inherited from ancestors in some of our ancient homeland in Iran, as well as ecotourism attractions with beautiful effects of life, an opportunity has been created for sustainable urban development based on tourism. If the opportunity is exploited properly, it brings improved urban economy, improved living standards and reduced migration. The areas of tourism attraction are a subset of tourism poles and one of the most important issues in the tourism industry. The diversity and complexity of the tourism industry according to geographical areas require special areas for tourism planning. In areas where there are high potential for tourism development, despite non favorable development, some factors should be followed that may accelerate the slow process of tourism development. One of these poles is Kheber tourism area in Kerman province that has high prospects and potentials. This paper has been prepared based on descriptive analysis and aim to identify the factors and areas of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting the sustainable development of tourism using SWOT model and presents some guidelines for sustainable development of Kheber urban tourism .
Keywords: Areas of tourism, Ecotourism, Sustainable Urban Development, Urban Tourism
Statement of the problem
Today, tourism is one of the main sources of national income for developed countries and some developing countries. Among these, each country based on its potential has been able to provide background and essential factors for the development of tourism and by investing in the industry achieved their goals and have been preceded from other countries. According to the prediction of global economy experts, the tourism industry was the world's most profitable industries from 2000 to 2020, and even can overtake the oil industry and was considered as the world's major industry. So tourism has been considered as a profitable economic activity by countries. This phenomenon has managed to
single-product economy namely oil revenues prevented it from benefiting from this country's economy. Comparison of countries where tourism is the main economic resources of the country with Iran’s single-product economy shows the economic importance of tourism development in Iran. For this purpose, Khebra city as one of the most suitable areas in Iran has also high potentials in tourism development due to unique historical, cultural, religious and natural characteristics. Despite of these potentials, this city has not an appropriate international position in tourism industry development in Iran. The city with abundant tourist's attractions is still unfamiliar to foreign tourists and domestic tourists. Tourism as the largest world service industry has special role in the development of geographic areas. When the dimensions and fields related to tourism are well recognized, certainly more favorable steps will be taken for the development of academic and administrative geographies. This will be manifested when the area has varied and unique tourism potentials. On the other hand, this situation could be effective in the eradication of poverty in the region (Paply Yazdi and Saghaie , 78: 2006). Given that the idea of creation of tourism zones has been formed and is one of the industry's growth strategies, recognition of the effects of tourism on the eradication of poverty in local communities is of special important and value. With knowledge about the impact of such measures, good selection of an appropriate pattern will lead to sustainable development and increased employment in the tourism sector due to the academic and administrative interactions in Kheber region. Due to the breadth and variety of geographical environment and numerous tourism attractions, Iran is considered as the major tourist areas where Kerman province is one of the most important places.
The main objective of this research is to identify potentials of tourism area by swot method and secondary objectives: identification of the region as one of the major tourist centers of the province and careful planning in tourism development and
appropriate use to solve economic and social problems in the region. Due to a number of challenges and social, economic and cultural limitations and increased cultural exchanges with other parts of Iran, , increased amenities and services, development of economic activities and employment opportunities and poverty elimination of remote region, officials and planners and investors should give special attention and value it. And in this regard the spirit of hospitality of residents, cultural richness, the diversity of geographical environment and a lot of tourist attractions and especially region's ecotourism provide an appropriate condition for any developmental tourism industry plan.
Research questions
1- What conditions and infrastructure are necessary to achieve sustainable development in the Kheber' tourism sector?
2. Is coordinated urban development plans and sustainable urban tourism both can lead to the sustainability?
Research objectives:
1- Evaluation of the role and status of the areas of Kerman province on tourism development( case study : Kerman regional tourism using swot model )
2. Identification of the region's strengths and weaknesses and providing appropriate strategies and careful planning in tourism development and appropriate use of them to solve economic and social problems in the region.
3. Giving recommendations for the sustainable development for Kheber urban tourism
4. Identification the potentials of the region as an area that has the ability to attract domestic and foreign tourists and thus can help the tourism industry and economic prosperity of the province.
Background and History Research:
Studies and research conducted in the areas of Kerman province on the development of the role of the region's tourism directly and indirectly include:
Case Study: National Park - Victoria, Australia AHP) came to the conclusion that hierarchical analysis can aid the selection of an appropriate place for tourists and prioritization of investments and to help managers protect the environment. Madhoshi et., al (2003) in a paper titled as "Evaluation of the factors affecting the underdevelopment of the province's tourism industry" has found that a multiplicity of decision-making centers, lack of tourism infrastructure facilities, poor marketing and lack of culture acceptance are the main factors limiting tourists development of tourism in the province. Maghsodie and Emadodin ( 2003) on the "assessment of Geotourism features of desert landforms on Loot desert came to the conclusion that this area is especially appropriate place for adventurous tourism due to its geo-tourism features and special landforms and may lead to the development of regional tourism in Shahdad. Jalali, Khademolhosseini, (2013) in a study entitled as analysis of the tourism capabilities in the province of Kerman studied the status of existing tourist sector and concluded that despite of the high capabilities in the province, tourism sector has attracted a small percentage of domestic and foreign tourists and simultaneous identification of tourism measures, advertising, facilities, restoration of monuments and historical places are necessary measures for development of tourism in this area.
Jalali, Khademolhosseini, (2013) in a study entitled as the impact of tourism areas on the eradication of the poverty from the perspective of local communities( case study: Oraman region of Kurdistan ) assessed the potentials and capacities to create employment in Oraman area using PRA participatory methods and eventually concluded that although Uraman area drew the attention of tourists due to unique attractions, including natural attractions, special architecture and other attractions, in line with real, sustainable development and eradication of poverty in the area, future planning and management of tourism is considerably important. Saber, and Saber,
Elaheh , Zainab (2012) in a study on the "Effects of tourism on the sustainable development (case study: Kerman) addressed the status of the province's tourism and tourism infrastructure using TOPSIS and AHP models. According to TOPSIS model, Kerman city is more favorable in terms of tourism infrastructure. According to the AHP model, the city of Kerman has the first ranking in terms of tourism, and Jiroft is in the next place.
Theoretical foundations: Tourism
Tourism word is a French word derived from the root of the tour. In French, tour means rotational motion, travelling, journey and trip. Tourism word was firstly used in a magazine under the Sporting Magazine) Mahallatie, 2001: 14).
Developed countries changed the nature of tourism word from personal meaning to general trip as they replaced obsolete equipment with quick transportation from the nineteenth century and early twentieth century.
At the same time, because of the trend of economic activity in tourism, various economic activities such as transportation, manufacturing of vehicles, manufacturing equipment and road hunting and recreation, food industry and like these are required. Tourism industry is also placed as a prefix near the tourism term (Papal Yazdi et al., 2006). In March 1993, Tourism organization defined tourism as a set the activities of people who live and work outside their home in order to rest and do their other activities (DoS Weil, 2005: 19).
Tourism Planning
conditions and new information will require constant revision ( Zangi Abadi, Mohammad, 3: 2006). Tourism planning is very important in sustainable development, because most of the activities related to the development of tourism depend on the attractions and activities relating to the natural environment, historical heritage and cultural patterns the cultural patterns of region. If these resources were neglected or destroyed, tourist areas will not be able to be successful in attracting tourists and tourism( Zangiabadi and Muhammad, 3: 2006). An important aspect of sustainable urban development is emphasis on local tourism. The tourism practice emphasize on involvement of the local community in planning and tourism development that will lead to the interests of the local community (Ranjbar, 2000: 23).
Ecotourism
Ecotourism or ecotourism is a convergent movement in order to meet opportunities and situations for adaptability with nature.
These activities are carried out due to ecological considerations in order to adapt to the ecological aspects of the environment (David, 56: 2006).
Tourism Attraction Areas
Tourism attractive areas refers to the geographic range where there is one or more arrays of historical, natural and cultural attractions and they are the incentives for travel and accommodation of tourists (Ahmad, 2007: 27) .
It is defined as the areas in the vicinity of historical, cultural, religious, and natural attractions and are determined based on the capacity of the four levels of international, national, provincial and local levels (Shamaei et al., 2012 ,28 :) Every Tourism attractive areas involve service centers, welfare, culture such as : accommodation, catering, purchasing, production and supply of crafts and cultural , artistic, recreational services, sports, parks and other tourism services ( Tavakoli et al., 2010: 80).
National Park:
National Park refers to an area of the country's natural resources such as forests, pastures, natural
woods, forests, plains and mountains which represent well known examples of Iran natural manifestations and to permanently protect natural and living conditions and create an environment conducive to reproduction and breeding of wild animals, bush growth in completely natural conditions.
In fact, national parks and landscape are permanently created for protection of areas of outstanding national and international importance and scientific, educational and recreational use and commercial exploitation is prohibited. (AU CN 1992)
Wildlife shelter:
Wildlife refers to "a range of natural resources including forests and grassland, natural woods and forests, plains and mountains which has a natural habitat for wild animals and special climatic conditions in order to maintain or restore these habitats are protected.
Shelters are needed to ensure the natural conditions for the protection of species vital for social or physical features of the environment and are important at the national level and for its sustainability need to have special human intervention (AU CN 1992).
Protected area:
It refers "a range of natural resources including forests, grassland, desert, water and mountains that are needed to preserve and multiply the generation of wild animals or plants and revive the norm of particular importance and are protected. The protected area is created to ensure sustainable production in water, timber, wildlife, and outdoor recreation area with nature conservation. Although it is possible in certain areas to achieve specific objectives, these areas are considered to be protective. (AU CN 1992)
Research Methodology
the required data were obtained by observation and visiting from the tourist places in the city.
Field of study:
The Kheber National Park and Rochon Wildlife shelter were located in the Kerman province and in the limits of Baft city and 40 km in the southwest of Baft.
Latitude in this area include: '25 ° 28 ° 28 'at north latitude and 2'56 to 59 to' 38 ° 56 'at east longitude.
Figure 1: Map of the country and province divisions, Source: authors
There are several paths to access the area. The best way to access the area is through the Baft city and village's paved roads for 65 km. For access to parts of eastern and south-eastern and asphalt road can be used - Dehsard-Arzuiyeh for 105 km. Environmental study area is 180 km and the total area is 169 000 hectares. 12000 hectares include Khebr national parks and other related to the Rochon wildlife shelter.
History of the study area in terms of environmental management
Concurrent with the launch of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1971, this area was protected as "protected area of Kheber and Rochon".
Due to the presence of a large number of nomadic tribes in the region, in the first years all officials responsible directed their efforts for reducing the burden of grazing in nomads and in the form of Nomads, some ranchers settled in adjacent plains (Arzuiyeh and Dashtab) and did agriculture by digging deep wells.
After the survey conducted in 1975, the exact area was determined to be 169 200 hectares and was changed as a "refuge's wildlife.
Effective protective measurements led to significant improvements in vegetation and
wildlife until 1978. With the Revolution, everything changed, and the region was forgotten as many other areas administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
As planned and coordinated between the Department of Environment and Forests and Rangelands Organization, the next serious protection began in 1994 and the major part of the area was announced protected for five years. During this time raining significantly helped to revitalize of the area. After survey at the environment Council in 1999, it was adopted as the Eleventh National Park and was announced as the National Park. The area was divided into two parts:
Part I: The National Park covers an area of 120/000 hectares where the conflict among villages in the shelters has been resolved.
Review and the feasibility of tourism in Kheber city using Swot table
In order to provide the city's strategies and policies for sustainable development through the promotion of sustainable tourism in the city, identification of four factors for solving weakness and threats and improved strengths is an inevitable. On this basis, the city's development strategy with a list of the most important strengths and opportunities in order to design utilizes aggressive strategies based on competitive advantages of the city, explaining the ongoing opportunities in order to fix weaknesses within the region by providing revised strategy to reallocate resources , planning to meet the threat of the strengths of the region's area with an emphasis on diversification strategies in order to meet the city's requirements and defensive strategies plan to be implemented in order to fix the vulnerability that is listed in this section.
Table 2: internal factors matrix, source: authors
(Strengths)
(Weaknesses)
1 The appropriateness of the region to investment and
tourism planning and preparation for the use of natural and human resources and introducing it as an important polar for tourism
1 The lack of planning and public investments in Kheber
2 The suitable geographical location in Khezr and
environmental centers 3 Close proximity to population centers and biological
centers 3 Inadequate facilities and equipment for recreation and sport
4 Diversity of flora and fauna and the city's tourist
attractions
4 The lack of lights for attracting transit passengers
5 A minimum of infrastructure facilities (water, electricity,
gas, telephone ) 5 Weak ads 6 The uniqueness of the beautiful landscape
6 too much capacity livestock pastures
7 Recreational Sports Attractions
7 bushes removing by nomads to fuel
8 A quiet environment and without noise
8 Inadequate protection of databases in forest area due to the high economic value of forests
9 There are a wide variety of medicinal plants in the region
9 Lack of adequate facilities for natural resources projects
10 Unique biological reserves and nature
10 The lack of management plans and enforcement of bank credits to public participation
11 Training capabilities of the phenomenon of geography, geology, animal science
12 Distinguished Wildlife 13 The establishment of camping facilities, accommodation
Table 3: External factors matrix, source: authors (Opportunities) (Threats) 1
Tendency towards urban tourism development by the public sector and private
1
Rising land prices and land increased financial burden for equipment and tourism facilities
2
Increased motivation for traveling to unique areas
2
Lack of adequate training to local residents by the government to raise awareness for the growth and development of tourism
3
Locating in linked Bandar Abbas route with tourism attractions
3
Enhanced facilities and services in recreation areas competing in this area in the future (international regional
competition),
(
4
Attraction of travelers when crossing the road
4
Increased desire and tourists motivation to travel to other competitor areas
5
Awareness by government agencies
5
Increasing social offenses with the arrival of tourism in the area than ever before
6
good roads and easy access to Khezer city
6
The disappearance of local traditions such as: language, local customs and clothin type , architecture, housing, etc (with an increase in tourists
7 Increased attention and support of sustainable tourism development by authorities for urban employment and income
7 Neglectence of tourists in not harming to natural resources
8 Possibility to build reception centers for services to travelers and tourists and tourism
8 Creating environmental pollution by tourists
9 Employment and earning revenues
SWOT analysis for development of tourism in the Kheber city:
Swot analysis can be used to study the factors affecting internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors, (opportunities and threats) on sustainable tourism in Kheber city. In fact, this method is used as a tool to identify strategic issues
and providing appropriate guidelines and strategies.
Aggressive competition strategies - (SO) original strategy
create employment and income for the city's residents
Identify and enjoying the attractions, the city's tourism products and other comparative advantages including (historical sites and mountains) to compete with other competing regions.
Coordination among different agencies and
institutions and related sectors, in order to integrate urban sustainable tourism practices and the adoption of measures by management coordinator meetings with government agencies, non-governmental, public and entrepreneurs.
Preparation and exploitation of the support of
the private sector to invest in tourism in the Kheber city through the transparency of government policies and local programs, manner of taking taxes and subsidies and bank loans and etc.
Major focus on tourism activities and
attractions available and utilization of unused resource Tourism like landscape, mountains and rivers and green spaces, etc. in order to earn money and create jobs and sustainable urban development.
Diversification Strategy (ST)
Diversification of facilities, activities and
tourism services in order to attract tourists and the consequent increase in the number of tourists in the Kheber city as well as the use of different classes of people of diverse activities
Diversification and development of advertising
programs for the introduction of natural and man-made attractions, characteristic culture, architecture and urban customs of the city and participate in festivals, exhibitions and seminars actively.
Development and equipping of tourist routes in
sycamore and creation and installation of signs in these places and compiling manuals for tourists and their education.
Reviewing strategies (WO)
To review the type and planning and
government support for tourism city, enjoyment of the logic of institutions, laws and regulations and
mobilization support for the development of infrastructure, facilities and equipment at the studied city
Review the distribution of resources, services
and tourist facilities and prioritization for the reallocation of these facilities with high- medium performance
To review the utilization of public participation
in the preparation and implementation of development projects and equipment of studied urban areas for tourist facilities so that specialists from different institutions revive and take serious measures for development of these areas.
Defensive strategies (WT)
Seminars and meetings (investment development in tourism) by the Kheber’s Heritage organization and related officials and entrepreneurs with other sectors, facilities and particular privileges invested in construction of hotels, residential complexes, recreational facilities such as amusement parks, sports fields and the creation of educational institutions
Training and inform people on how to deal with
tourists and tourism in Kheber, in order to avoid conflicts between tourists and people. Tourists should be trained in the fields of culture and customs, and other special places
Facilitation and encouragement for participation in the development of infrastructure, tourism facilities and income through different way as well as use of private sector participation in areas where people cannot participate or invest.
CONCLUSION
In addition to the above, development of ecotourism in the Kheber can have the following benefits:
Use of natural resources in the region to protect the environment and the lives of indigenous people
Increased public awareness about preserving
ecotourism and culture of the region and visitors
Increased participation of indigenous peoples in
decision-making for determining long-term use of area
Increased economic resources of society to conduct the cycle tourism in the local economy and emphasis on the promotion of traditional activities
In order to develop the tourism industry in the region and to attract tourists, offered the following strategies were offered:
the creation of a joint committee between all
public and private organizations related to the officials in order to coordinate activities
Informing the minority and geomorphological
characteristics of the seasons for a trip to the desert
Training professional guides for geo-tourism guide
Filling the tourists with the provision of program
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