Bilingual
Volume 40, Issue 2 (2025)                   GeoRes 2025, 40(2): 185-192 | Back to browse issues page
Article Type:
Original Research |
Subject:

Print XML Persian Abstract PDF HTML Full-Text (HTML)


History

How to cite this article
Asadi A. Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip with an Ecotourism-Oriented Approach. GeoRes 2025; 40 (2) :185-192
URL: http://georesearch.ir/article-1-1736-en.html
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Rights and permissions
Authors A. Asadi *
Pars University of Architecture and Art, Tehran, Iran
* Corresponding Author Address: University of Art and Architecture, Entesarieh Street, North Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran. Postal Code: 1413915361 (asma.asadi2020@gmail.com)
Abstract   (329 Views)
Aims: The protection and organization of coastal areas is not only vital for environmental sustainability, but also for food security, economic growth, strengthening social capital, and enhancing the quality of life for present and future generations. This study aimed to develop a conceptual model of the key themes in organizing the coastal strip, focusing on the preservation of ecotourism patterns and ecological sustainability, as well as to identify the indicators influencing the management of coastal ecotourism.
Methodology: This descriptive-analytical research was conducted on the Gisum coastal strip in 2025-2026. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 local experts and stakeholders and analyzed using thematic analysis and MaxQDA software. In the quantitative phase, after identifying the relevant indicators based on the theoretical literature, a questionnaire was developed and distributed among 200 residents, tourists, and regional experts. The data were examined using Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis in SPSS 24, confirming the reliability and validity of the instruments.
Findings: The results showed that all indicators influencing the organization of the Gisum coastal strip were valid and reliable. Factor loadings exceeded 0.70, AVE values ranged from 0.64 to 0.71, and CR values ranged from 0.80 to 0.88. The indicator "Environmental Behavior of Tourists" had the highest factor loading, while "Ecological and Social Justice" demonstrated strong reliability. Thematic analysis in the qualitative section led to the extraction of four main themes: Managerial strategies, institutional requirements, the role of local communities, and a sustainable development framework. A conceptual model was developed based on the causal relationships among these themes.
Conclusion: The indicators of tourists’ environmental behavior and ecological and social justice have the greatest impact on the organization of the Gisum coastal zone. Ultimately, the proposed model was developed based on four main pillars—management strategies, institutional requirements, the role of local communities, and the sustainable development framework—whose dynamic and networked interactions provide a comprehensive and flexible foundation for achieving sustainable organization of the Gisum coastal zon.
 
Keywords:

References
1. Afzali R, Mousavi S, Kiamanesh F (2024). A review of the environmental impacts of coastal tourism. Proceedings of the National Conference on Land Use Planning with Emphasis on the Sea, Ports and Beaches. Tehran: Civilica. [Persian] [Link]
2. Alongi DM (2008). Mangrove forests: Resilience, protection from tsunamis, and responses to global climate change. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 76(1):1-13. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.08.024]
3. Angessa AT, Lemma B, Yeshitela K, Endrias M (2022). Community perceptions towards the impacts of ecotourism development in the central highlands of Ethiopia: The case of Lake Wanchi and its adjacent landscapes. Heliyon. 8(2):e08924. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08924]
4. Ballantyne R, Packer J (2011). Using tourism free‐choice learning experiences to promote environmentally sustainable behaviour: The role of post‐visit 'action resources'. Environmental Education Research. 17(2):201-215. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/13504622.2010.530645]
5. Barbier EB, Hacker SD, Kennedy C, Koch EW, Stier AC, Silliman BR (2011). The value of estuarine and coastal ecosystem services. Ecological Monographs. 81(2):169-193. [Link] [DOI:10.1890/10-1510.1]
6. Beeharry Y, Bekaroo G, Bussoopun D, Bokhoree C, Phillips MR (2021). Perspectives of leisure operators and tourists on the environmental impacts of coastal tourism activities: A case study of Mauritius. Environment, Development and Sustainability. 23(7):10702-10726. [Link] [DOI:10.1007/s10668-020-01080-7]
7. Costanza R, De Groot R, Sutton P, Van Der Ploeg S, Anderson SJ, Kubiszewski I, et al (2014). Changes in the global value of ecosystem services. Global Environmental Change. 26:152-158. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.04.002]
8. Ghosh S (2012). Sustainable coastal tourism: Problems and management options. Journal of Geography and Geology. 4(1):163-171. [Link] [DOI:10.5539/jgg.v4n1p163]
9. Ioppolo G, Saija G, Salomone R (2013). From coastal management to environmental management: The sustainable eco-tourism program for the mid-western coast of Sardinia (Italy). Land Use Policy. 31:460-471. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.08.010]
10. Kathiresan K, Bingham BL (2001). Biology of mangroves and mangrove ecosystems. Advances in Marine Biology. 40:81-251. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/S0065-2881(01)40003-4]
11. Lee WH, Moscardo G (2005). Understanding the impact of ecotourism resort experiences on tourists' environmental attitudes and behavioural intentions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 13(6):546-565. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/09669580508668581]
12. Nellemann C, Corcoran E (2009). Blue carbon: The role of healthy oceans in binding carbon: A rapid response assessment. Arendal: GRID-Arendal. [Link]
13. Pretty J, Smith D (2004). Social capital in biodiversity conservation and management. Conservation Biology. 18(3):631-638. [Link] [DOI:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00126.x]
14. Ramayah T, Lee JWC, Mohamad O (2010). Green product purchase intention: Some insights from a developing country. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 54(12):1419-1427. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.06.007]
15. Rastgari M, Bozorgmehr K, Ebrahimi Jamnani L, Haghzad A (2024). Presenting the model of establishing electronic tourism in the tourism development of the coastal cities of Mazandaran province using the grounded theory. Geographical Research. 39(1):25-36. [Persian] [Link]
16. Scheyvens R (1999). Ecotourism and the empowerment of local communities. Tourism Management. 20(2):245-249. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/S0261-5177(98)00069-7]
17. Thi Khanh CN, Phong LT (2020). Impact of environmental belief and nature-based destination image on ecotourism attitude. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights. 3(4):489-505. [Link] [DOI:10.1108/JHTI-03-2020-0027]
18. UNEP (2019). Guidelines for integrated management of coastal and marine areas. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme. [Link]
19. Vali M (2025). Challenges and economic opportunities of marine tourism on the Caspian Sea coast: A sustainable development analysis. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Maritime Economy with Geographic Characteristics in Tourism and Maritime. Bandar Abbas: Civilica. [Persian] [Link]
20. Wu J, Font X, Liu J (2021). Tourists' pro-environmental behaviors: Moral obligation or disengagement?. Journal of Travel Research. 60(4):735-748. [Link] [DOI:10.1177/0047287520910787]
21. Zakeri Hadadan A, Pourjaghnab H, Aghaee Kamrani M, Ghanouni Bostanabad J (2021). Investigating the various effects of ecotourism on the environment in order to achieve sustainable development. Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Developing Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism of Iran. Tabriz: Civilica. [Persian] [Link]
22. Zhang S, Wu Q, Butt J, Lv YM, Wang YE (2025). Coastal cities governance in the context of integrated coastal zonal management: A sustainable development goal perspective under international environmental law for 'coastal sustainability'. Frontiers in Marine Science. 11:1364554. [Link] [DOI:10.3389/fmars.2024.1364554]