درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose- This study aims to examine the delivery and quality of rural tourism services from the perspective of managers of eco-lodges in Guilan Province, Iran. It also seeks to identify the key reasons behind the lack of adoption of service quality standards by these managers. The significance of the topic lies in its contribution to sustainable tourism development, enhancement of rural residents’ quality of life, and improvement of tourist satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach- This applied research employed a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through both library and field methods. The statistical population included all licensed eco-lodges in Guilan Province (126 units), which were studied using a census method. Data collection was carried out using the standard SERVQUAL questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, factor analysis, and the Friedman test. Findings- The results revealed a significant gap between the current quality of services and the desired standards in the eco-lodges of Guilan. Most managers perceived the official service quality standards as inefficient or impractical. The primary reasons cited included inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, and weak supervisory systems. Research limitations/implications- The study is limited to a single province and reflects solely the managers’ viewpoints. Future research is recommended to include the perspectives of tourists and regulatory authorities. Additionally, developing and localizing service quality assessment models tailored to the characteristics of rural accommodations is suggested. Practical implications- To enhance service quality, the study recommends providing training programs for managers, improving tourism infrastructure, revising service quality indicators, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems. Showcasing successful models from other regions can also help increase the efficiency of eco-lodges. Originality/ value- By focusing on the perspectives of service providers as key stakeholders, this study offers a novel contribution and can serve as a reference for policymakers, tourism practitioners, and investors aiming to improve rural tourism service quality.

The paper’s purpose was to investigate the obstacles the Zimbabwean government faces as it works towards meeting Sustainable Development Goal 3, which speaks of health and well-being for all. Various obstacles were observed, such as political and economic issues, personnel leaving for greener pastures, dilapidated infrastructure, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation systems that allow tracking of the goals. The author used a qualitative method and adopted a document review for data collection. Three major documents were used: The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s national policy (2021-2025), the World Health Organization 2023 report, and UNDP’s 2020 Zimbabwe’s SDG Progress report. The researcher scanned through the documents and highlighted areas where they discussed the SDG 3 challenges faced. The results confirmed that Zimbabwe is facing numerous challenges, including a fragmented procurement system and political and economic issues. The study's practical implications are that this document may remind policymakers that the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3, cannot be ignored, but effort is needed to ensure that all obstacles impeding the attainment of SDG 3 are addressed. Policymakers should provide a conducive environment that allows the ministries concerned to work towards the attainment of SDG 3. Healthy people are productive, and the focus will be on improving everyone's life, hence the need for SDG 3 to be fulfilled so no one is left behind. Significant progress is made when people are protected from illness, premature death is avoided, and the overall health of the population is improved. Issues such as inequalities and poverty are eradicated, and people enjoy prosperity and justice. The study is original and seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding SDG 3, the challenges Zimbabwe is facing, and how they can be addressed to protect its citizens from diseases, improve prosperity, and enhance socio-economic factors.