Investigating the Role of Rural Tourism in Creating Economic Opportunities: A Study of Villages in the Masuleh Region
Subject Areas : Culturalparviz rafieeshad 1 , valiolah rostamalizadeh, 2 , Khadije Zolghadr 3
1 - Ph.D student in Sociology, specializing in Social and Rural Development, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and
2 - Member of the academic staff, Migration and Urbanization Department, Country Population Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
3 - Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch
Keywords: Rural tourism, job creation, sustainable development, Masouleh, empowerment, local participation,
Abstract :
This study was conducted to analyze the role of rural tourism in creating economic and social opportunities in the region of Masuleh. Tourism has significant impacts on the economic, cultural, and social development of local communities. Masuleh has, in recent decades, become a popular destination for domestic and international tourists, providing new employment opportunities and economic activities for local residents. In this study, qualitative data were collected through individual and group interviews with 15 local stakeholders, officials, and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that tourism in Masuleh functions beyond a temporary source of income, contributing to the improvement of residents, livelihoods, reduction of out- migration, diversification of economic activities, and enhancement of social capital. In particular, the empowerment of women and youth, active participation in tourism-related businesses, and the strengthening of trust and collective cooperation are among the prominent outcomes of tourism development in the region. The findings also show that tourism has been able to create an organic employment pattern based on local capacities, shifting the traditional livelihood structure- previously centered on agriculture and limited services- toward a service-oriented and sustainable economy. The theoretical analysis of the study, grounded in frameworks of modernization, sustainable development, dependency theory, social capital, empowerment, endogenous development, and local participation, demonstrates that the success of tourism depends on local management, conservation of cultural and natural resources, and participatory planning.This study emphasizes that tourism development should be guided by respect for environmental carrying capacity, preservation of cultural identity, and strengthening of local institutional structures in order to prevent negative consequences such as cultural homogenization, inequality, and social problems. Ultimately, the research highlights the necessity of formulating smart strategies, participatory policymaking, and continuous sustainability assessment in the management of tourism in Masuleh.
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