Rural tourism

Purpose-The effects of tourism on rural employment in the village of Varkāneh in Hamedan County, Iran were investigated. Rural tourism is one of the practical solutions to solve the problem of employment in these areas. This industry with its special dynamics can have major effects on the economic, social and environmental situation, especially at the local level.Methodology-The study is an applied correlational-descriptive study using a quantitative approach and a survey methodology. The research population was composed of 250 households out of whom 148 people were sampled by simple randomization. The sample size was determined by Krejcie and Morgan’s table. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire whose items were arranged in three sections. Data were analyzed by path analysis and structural equation modeling using the WarpPLS software package.Findings-The results show that the variables of economy, resources, occupation, agriculture, social capital, and welfare have directly influenced employment. The strongest impact on rural employment has been related to economy with a path coefficient of 0.364. In total, 56 percent of the dependent variable (increase in rural employment) in Verkane village is explained by five factors of economic effects, infrastructure and resources, agricultural effects, social capital, and social welfare.Originality/value-Tourism, through the development of infrastructure such as the development of residences, transportation, shops and public places, telephone and internet, and infrastructures such as bridges, roads and mosques, has led to employment growth in the studied area. Therefore, one of the solutions for tourism development is to create tourism infrastructures in rural areas in such a way that this will lead to an increase in the number of tourists. The results of this research can help to plan for the development of tourism in rural areas and especially to solve the problem of employment in these areas.

Rural tourism, with careful planning, can enhance the quality of life and create economic, social, and cultural benefits. The aim of this research was to present a sustainable rural tourism model with a focus on social capital. The research was applied in terms of its goal and qualitative in terms of methodology, based on the foundation data theory. The research was framed using a cognitive approach, utilizing various data collection methods such as library research, examination of specialized sources and texts, as well as semi-structured interviews. Fourteen elites, experts, and managers in tourism and rural area management were interviewed in 2023. The conducted interviews were coded using Atlas .t i software.

This research has been conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of social factors on the development of rural ecotourism entrepreneurship in Dezful tourism villages. This research is a descriptive-correlation type that was conducted using a survey method. Residents of tourism villages of Dezful constitute the statistical population of this research, based on the Cochrane formula and the use of stratified random sampling, 381 households were selected as the research sample.The main tool of this research is a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were tested and confirmed. In order to analyze data and test research hypotheses, structural equation modeling with partial least squares approach and PLS Smart software have been used. The findings showed that networking in the village, social participation, education and information, social capital and tourism capacities explain a total of 62.5% of the changes related to the rural ecotourism entrepreneurship. From this research, it can be concluded that social factors are always effective in the growth or retardation of rural ecotourism entrepreneurship according to their collective and cultural potential, and along with economic, historical, cultural and political factors, they can help the development of rural ecotourism entrepreneurship

In today's world, rural tourism is one of the most important parts of economic activities. This essential economic activity has been considered from different perspectives. Some consider it as a part of the tourism market and some consider it as a policy for rural development. The question is, what role and effect does rural tourism have in rural development? In the last decade of the 20th century, many socio-economic planners in European countries have introduced tourism as a reliable method with an evident vision for the development of villages, especially the most deprived ones. The nature of the tourism industry is to create employment and income, diversify the economy, social participation and use local resources. Most of the problems of backwardness and underdevelopment of villages are due to the lack of this industry rural tourism can help rural development by solving the above problems. Therefore, according to the importance of the topic, in this research, the consequences and challenges of rural tourism in rural areas are investigated.

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.

Purpose- This research aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the knowledge structure and dominant trends in the literature concerning pro-environmental tourist behavior within rural tourism studies. The study seeks to identify research gaps and map the intellectual landscape of the field for future researchers. Methodology- This study employs a scientometric approach, combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis. A total of 1,020 eligible articles published between 1985 and 2024 were identified through the Scopus database and analyzed using VOSviewer software. Co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks were used to analyze the knowledge structure. Findings- The results reveal that China, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea have the highest publication output in this field. Linnaeus University (Sweden), Sejong University (South Korea), and Lund University (Sweden) are among the most influential institutions. Keyword analysis identified three primary clusters: ecotourism, ecosystem and environmental protection, and tourism economy and market. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, factors such as attitude, subjective and social norms, perceived behavioral control, and environmental awareness are the most significant predictors of tourists' pro-environmental behavior. Practical Implications- The findings provide valuable insights for destination managers and policymakers in developing effective strategies for sustainable tourism management. The results can serve as a basis for designing behavioral interventions and formulating evidence-based policies to promote responsible behaviors among tourists in rural destinations. Originality/Value- This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive and dynamic map of the knowledge structure and prevailing trends in pro-environmental behavior in rural tourism. By filling the gaps of previous studies, this research identifies novel research opportunities for future scholars.