Analysis Of The Role Of Tourism And Its Impact On Rural Development (Case Study Of The Central Part Of Marivan )

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1 Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Available online at TJEAS Journal / ISSN TJEAS Analysis Of The Role Of Tourism And Its Impact On Rural Development (Case Study Of The Central Part Of Marivan ) Rahmat Bahrami and kamran Noori * Department of Social Science, Payame Noor University. I.R. Iran Corresponding author noori7711@yahoo.in ABSTRACT: Rural tourism is considered as a part of tourism industry that with fundamental and appropriate plan can be effective in the development of rural areas and so undertook the national development and diversification of the national economy. This study aimed at investigating the role of rural tourism in the sustainable development of rural communities in Marivan city in Kurdistan province. This study is a combination of quantitative-qualitative research in nature, non-experimental from variables control level point of view and applied research regarding its goal. Three groups of local people, government employees and tourists comprise the population (n=254). Main research tool was a questionnaire designed by the researcher. The research tool content and outward validity was obtained through employing expert teachers' views and applying necessary modifications. Pilot testing was conducted to determine the reliability of the study and Cronbach's alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the research tool. The collected data was processed and analyzed using SPSS software. Results showed that the most important positive roles of tourism are to strengthen the region economy through local market boom, which increases life quality and reduces the unemployment rate. The most important negative consequences of rural tourism in the region are; destruction of vegetation, sharp increases in land and housing price, loss of traditional culture, social conflict between host and guest communities. Factor analysis for role of rural tourism in the region development showed that the first factor in sustainable development of Marivan region was productivity boom of local market. The next factors are employment development, entrepreneurship, cultural development of the region and increase in welfare utilities andnaturalresourceprotection. Key words: rural tourism, sustainable development, rural economy, Marivan INTRODUCTION Today, tourism is the largest service industry in the world, that has allocated a particular position in the economic, cultural, social and political fields.(faghihi et al, 2003). Global developments in the field of urbanization after World War II and the creation of cities, urban pollution and increased leisure time, which developed the rural tourism. In the next decades, tourism introduced as a tool for rural development. Therefore, experts have tried to develop the role of tourism in rural development through using different models. Tourism in recent years has considered as a source for the reconstruction and sustainable development in rural areas, besides the positive economic and social impacts in the rural areas. Rural tourism is taken into account of the most popular forms of tourism (Yazdi and Sghaei quoted sharply, 2007). In general, rural tourism is important in two perspectives: Worldwide activities and considering the development of regional and local policies Activities those tourists do in rural areas. (Mustafazadeh, 2009). Since there are many problems in the under study area such as income decrease in rural households and agricultural losses due to drought in recent years, alternative activities are needed instead of farming in this area to provide sustainable livelihoods for villagers for developing rural area comprehensively. In one way, it improves their quality of life and satisfaction. On the other hand, the rural development plan needs to evaluation and revision in the field of critical thinking of rural development so that forms the best solutions for rural comprehensive development.

2 Three approaches are proposed regarding tourism and rural development. The first approach is to use tourism as a strategy for rural development. In this approach, by considering the increasing trend of villages destruction and agricultural decline; they are trying new strategies to revitalize rural areas is provided by the complementary activities. To transform these regions due to natural and human resources and rehabilitation programs are the only way this country can benefit from the natural resources and human resources of the country and cause an increase in income and welfare of rural residents. In the second approach, the tourism is a policy for reconstructing the rural settlements. Proponents of this view believe that we can reduce the rural producers' excessive reliance on agriculture and their participation in new economic opportunities. In Eastern European countries they have insisted on the development of tourism as a tool to rebuild the country after the collapse of agriculture. In the third approach, rural tourism considered as a tool for sustainable development and natural resources conservation. This approach seeks long-term growth of tourism without damaging the natural ecosystem (Rokn Aldin and Ghaderi, 2003). Studies in France, Austria, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Thailand and Japan show that rural tourism has grown rapidly in the rural economy and is a complement for agricultural activities. Employment creation and income, diversification of the economy, social participation and use of local resources are nature of tourism industry. Since most of the problems of rural underdevelopment and backwardness related to the lack of tourism industry, solving the problems of rural tourism can contribute to rural development. (Paply Yazdi and Saghaei, 2007). Socio-cultural impacts of tourism can be positive or negative. In areas with high growth of tourism industry, the positive and significant effects of socio - cultural in indigenous communities are: self-sufficiency and strengthening the local economy, more respect to the local community and their culture, reinvestment tourism income in cultural resources, strengthening and perpetuating the cultural traditions, increasing the tolerance understanding level between cultures particularly through performing music, supply local art industry, local life style, rural housing and other life experiences. (Tourism & Touring Organization, 2003). Considering the tourism potentials in rural areas, especially in Marivan in Kurdistan province, the study has been aimed at investigating the role of rural tourism in the sustainable development of rural communities in Marivan. Review of Literature Julia Sharply in her rural tourism book, after studying rural tourism regions and related effective factors says: Vatres in 1990 said Villages are places to live or temporary places to escape the pressures of modern urban life. (Sharply, 2002) Jean Bernard Sharyeh (1995) in towns and villages book, has studied migration from cities to the rural areas and considers the second houses (villas) in rural area states as a type of urban villagers living which was popularized in the 1960s and was in fact a response to the new realities of people settlement in rural communities. He stated the reason of migration as early development of individual motorization- escape from excessive affection to have a personal settlement and advance superficial life so that the possibility of having a private vehicle at the household level is necessary. Urban crisis and the oldness of rural attractions around the city are the most important reasons, which have described for the spread of second homes in the area (Sharyh, 1995, 119). Ajniv - Martin (2004) have examined the relationship between tourism and economic growth in Latin American countries during the period of 1985 to They used Arellano-Bond panel data and estimation method for dynamic panel. The results show that the tourism industry is appropriate for economic growth for low and middle-income countries such as Latin America (Tayebi et al, 2008). Kim et al (2006) studied the causal relationship between tourism development and economic growth in Taiwan. A causal test has been carried out to determine the relationship between tourism and economic growth. The results show that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between tourism and economic growth in Taiwan, and moreover, the relatio About the effects of tourism on economic - social structures, in rural environment, many researches have been done in Iran. For example, Mafi and Saghaei researches in the MS-SWOT model application have done analysis of tourism management in the city of Mashhad (Mafi and Saghaei, 2010). Mahdavi and Eftekhari have offered strategic approach solutions to tourism development in small Lavasan village along the regional stability consider to environmental and artificial potentials (Eftekhari, 2008, pp.1-30). Mahdavi et al (2007) have measured the impact ratio of tourism development on rural development throughout a survey in Kan valley and Sologhan and consider it nship between these two variables, is a two-way causal relationship (ibid). one of the most important strategies for development (Mahdavi et al, 2007, pp.39-60). 1075

3 Zanjani and Daneshvar have studied the evaluation of rural tourism with theoretical approach in a conceptual analysis and they have discussed that in two virtual images or a real model form (Zanjani and Daneshvar 2001, p.190). Aligholizadeh et al (2010) studied in a field research with evaluating the attitudes of the host community toward the economic and environmental impacts of tourism in rural areas in the central part of Noshahr city. Rezvani (2004), in a research titled "Analysis and development of second houses in rural areas" has assessed the impacts of this kind of development has studied in Tehran and has expressed its advantages and disadvantages. Theoretical Foundation Many governments have realized the role and importance of tourism as a source of income and employment worldwide. So, many of them have developed their relations for obtaining relative advantages of tourism industry. Now, bilateral or multilateral relations development in inter-provincial, national or regional governments level based on strategic cooperation agreements has become important which it aims at exploiting the advantages of the tourism market. Due to the impact of employment opportunities resulted from tourism on the centralization of populaion and demand increase for residential applications, employment has got a special position in urban and rural planning of land application, since the subsidiary jobs are formed because of main jobs, which each of them requires to settle in a certain area (Ghaderi, 2002). Lee writes about the economic impact of tourism that it will increase national income and net national production. He also sees tourism as a source of income for the government and believes this industry leads to social services improvement (Lee, 2000). Bull believes that if domestic tourism is scattered in many areas, it will lead to income and employment redistribution. Local tourism density could be calculated in the areas and its intense density in specific areas results in excessive demands in these areas and price increase and may practically reduce real income. (Bull, 2001). Sharplee (2002), in relationship between rural tourism and employment, believes that since the rural tourism is a major and new source of income for rural communities, thus: New jobs, which are related to, such as making the rooms up for tourists, food, retail, transportation and entertainment development, are created; 1 - Services such as transportation, medical care and rural traditional industries will be supported. 2 - There are opportunities for multiple activities and thereby prevents a transient recession and supports income. 3 - New and various jobs will be created in different areas and local economy will be strengthen by reducing agricultural subsidies. Land Berg (2005) writes about the role of tourism in employment if the under study region for tourism development has got a high unemployment rate, tourism advantages will be more obvious. Tourism revenue may be lower than other sources, but it would be the best option in this situation because while increasing the tax revenues, it decreases unemployment and the will increases the quality of citizen s life. Costs of tourism opportunity under such circumstances may be small or even zero. Gee believes, about the effects of tourism on employment, that the importance of the tourism industry in terms of revenue, job creation is not considerable for those who are not familiar with this field labors. However, human resources are one the issues which should be considered by those involved in tourism industry. According to the World Tourism Organization predictions and statistics, the jobs created by this industry are expected to grow by 59 percent in Travel and Tourism Council has estimated that one out of nine employees around the world, works in tourism industry and it exceeds to 212 million people all around the world. Tourism industry is the largest employer organization and it has become the largest employer in tourism industry in many of these countries. In addition to creating millions of jobs in this sector worldwide in 1994, more than 1.7 million dollars has paid in wages and salaries. The amount is equal to 10.3% of all wages and salaries of employees worldwide. (Gee, 2004). Regarding tourism and employment relationship, Cooper believes that tourism involves a wide variety of industrial sectors, so it is difficult to estimate the number of employees involved in this sector. In addition, the nature of employment in the tourism sector with a wide range of linkage between tourism and other economic sectors has doubled the real issue related to the importance of tourism. Moreover, he pointed out that international tourism activity has probably got richer content than domestic tourism one (Cooper, 2002). Tourism industry, which is the largest industry in the world today, offers very exciting and competitive job opportunities, so that the growth rate of employment in this industry has been twice compared to other industries in the United States in the last decade and this trend is expected to continue in the United States and around the world (Gouldner, 2003). 1076

4 Research Methodology Research type is of application one and study method is descriptive - analytic. At the beginning of the research, qualitative and then quantitative approach was used. This study is a descriptive, non-experimental research in terms of control variables. In its analysis, the relationship correlation method among variables has been used. In this study, correlation method of the type of covariance and factor analysis has been used. For data collection in the first step, library research method used in order to study the history of the subject and accurate data collection of natural, historical and cultural capacity of the region. In the second step and after investigating the study literature, PRA approach techniques were used by establishing more than 15 sessions of participatory with experts in the relevant organization and members of the village council to determine the role and impact of rural tourism development in the area. In the third step, the questionnaire was used to collect mentioned population data. To access the outward and content validity, the questionnaire was given to some experts in the field of tourism and rural development, and their ideas were applied for necessary revisions. To determine the reliability of the research tool, a test pilot was done and Cronbach's alpha method was used. The Questions, which their elimination, increased Cronbach's alpha were excluded from the study questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient calculated for different parts of the questionnaire, was between 0.70 to 0.89, indicating high reliability of the questionnaire structure. The sample for this study consisted three groups of local people (n=170), employees of state organizations in Marivan and the relevant departments in Sanandaj (n=32) and tourists (n=193). The local people sample was chosen purposefully and the snowball method which is a sampling method in qualitative research was selected. To select employees, the state organizations and the relevant departments in Marivan i.e. agriculture organization and administration of cultural heritage, strategic planning of deputy of governor in Sanandaj was used. Those, who visited the region natural and historic area, form tourists sample. The collected data processed and analyzed using SPSS software. Findings In this research, first a table was created in which the distribution of respondents has been identified according to the age and education, 72% of respondents were under 36 years and only 28% were between 36 to 40 years. Also, 25 percent of respondents were under diploma, about 35 percent were below college degree and 40 percent have bachelor's degrees or higher. Also in terms of work experience, 17% of respondents had less than 10 years of experience, 37 percent had between 20 to 10 years and 46% had over 20 years of experience. In terms of gender, more than 80 percent of the research population were men and 20 percent were women. Table 1. the distribution of respondents age Cumulative percent Percent Age to to to to total The role of rural tourism in rural local community development The role of rural tourism in rural local communities development were measured using the results of literature review and the research qualitative section through a 22 gauges and using a five-level Likert scale. The results are given in Table 2. Information provided in the above table shows that according to respondents' views, all of the 22 under study roles scored an average above three. As well, this table shows that the self-sufficiency and strengthening the local economy, local handicrafts promotion, quality of life increase and solving the unemployment problem are the most important roles in the tourism development by the respondents view. Negative consequences of rural tourism in Marivan Regarding the negative consequences of tourism development in rural areas of Marivan which the results of meetings and the results of the 16 outcomes were measure using a five-level scale, "very low", "low", "pretty", "high", "very high" were measured. The results have given in Table 3. The data in Table 3 shows that most negative consequences of tourism development in Marivan, by respondents, are destruction of vegetation, sharp increases in land and housing price, rising false cost and land speculation, the loss of traditional culture, social conflict between the guest and the host community and housing high prices due to increased demand for buying second house in rural areas. Factor analysis of rural tourism role in Marivan development The main purpose of factor analysis is summarizing a large number of variables into limited factors, so that there is minimum loss of information in this process, and the appropriate classification and explanation of 1077

5 variables based on their internal correlation, factor analysis approach has used with the approach of data summarization. To determine the suitability of the collected data the coefficient of KMO and Bartlett's test used for the factor analysis. In this section, KMO value is equal to 0.784, indicating the suitability of the existing correlation between the data for the factor analysis. Bartlett's test was used to ensure data suitability in factor analysis. Bartlett's test is equal to which is significant at the level of 1%. Therefore, data were suitable for factor analysis. In Table 4, the number of extracted factors with Eigen values of each, the variance percentage of each factor and cumulative variance percentage of factors are given. Total respondents Table 2. The role of rural tourism in the development of local communities Tourists Staff Local people The role of rural tourism in regional development the self-sufficiency and strengthening the local economy Frontier markets boom quality of life increase solving the unemployment problem More respect toward local community and their culture Creating appropriate market for agricultural products Providing temporary employment substrate for villagers Youth employment increase Diversification of economical activities Rural traditional arts promotion Providing long-term rural development Public participation in new economic opportunities Increasing income and welfare of the inhabitants of rural areas Increase in welfare services Exploitation of minor resources Solving Additional labor problem Poverty reduction Substrate for sustainable rural development employment increase in service sector Contributing to sustainable development and protection of natural resources Increase in women's employment Reducing villagers excessive reliance on agriculture Scale: 1 = very low, 6 = very much Table 3. The negative consequences of tourism in the region of Marivan from interviewers' view Total respondents Tourists Staff Local people Negative consequences of rural tourism Vegetation destruction Sharp increases in land and housing price Loss of traditional culture Social conflict between the host and guest community Rising house price Environmental pollution Disturbing the visual beauty of the countryside Changes in agricultural land and orchards usage Increased social abuses by tourists Soil erosion and degradation of forests and grasslands The host region excessive dependence on tourism Demand for scarce resources such as drinking water Destructing the natural landscape Land and rural farms degradation Inappropriate tourists' behavior and their cultural insensitivity Social dichotomy Scale: 1 = very low, 5 = very much Table 4. Results of factor analysis of rural tourism role in Marivan Cumulative Variance percentage Eigen Value Variance percentage Eigen Value Factors Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor5 1078

6 According to table 4, five above factors have explained 71.05% of total variance of rural tourism role in the development of Marivan region. Varimax method was used for factor analysis. After processing the variables, the obtained factor from factor analysis were named. In Table 5, each of the factors and related variables are given by factor loadings and their masking variables. Table 5. Role of rural tourism in Sustainable development based on Factor Method in Marivan region Load Factor Variables Factor name Local market boom in town frontier market prosperity Frontier Market boom and diversity of economic Income creation and welfare of the inhabitants of rural areas activities Creating a market for the sale of agricultural products to tourists Diversification of economic activities Solving the unemployment problem Employment and Employment Promotion by creating a market for agricultural products Entrepreneurship Providing temporary employment for villagers Development Participation in employment and income generating / Increasing the employment in service sector Increase in women's employment Increase in youth employment Respecting the local community and their culture Cultural development of the Reinforce and perpetuate cultural traditions region Restoring the economy of local communities Strengthening Local Culture Poverty decrease Economic development and Increase in welfare services increasing the welfare Improving quality of life through the productivity of frontier Market services Public participation in new economic opportunities Exploitation of minor resources Conserving natural providing long-term rural development resources by reducing Reduction in rural producers reliance on agriculture and livestock pressure on it Contributing to sustainable development and natural resources protection Factor analysis results showed that border market improvement and variety of economic activities has allocated 19.65% of the variance to itself and having Eigen value equal to 5.92, rural tourism has been the first factor in the sustainable development of Marivan region. Also, results showed that employment and Entrepreneurship development, cultural development, economic development and welfare services increase and conserving natural resources by reducing the pressure on it has allocated 16.61, 12.32, and percent of variance to itself respectively. To determine the suitability of collected data for factor analysis, Bartlett's test and KMO coefficient were used. In this section, KMO coefficient is equal which indicates the suitability of the existing correlation among data for the factor analysis. CONCLUSION Basically, rural tourism effects issue is a concept which has already been used in developed countries and they have achieved good results. Nowadays, it is clear for everyone that tourism is potentially a substrate for employment, poverty reduction and is effective in promotion of social - cultural development. An important point that is less considered is tourism management. In this paper, the pros and cons of tourism have shown based on statistical models and says that Marivan region due to favorable climatic conditions and perspectives such as Zarivar s lake at the distance of 3 km from Marivan, and as well as other natural perspectives such as mountain ranges covered with forests of oak, diverse cultural and economic landscapes provides favorable conditions for the development of tourism in the region. Studying the rural tourism role in rural communities development in Marivan region showed that selfsufficiency and strengthen the local economy through local handicrafts prosperity, quality of life and solving the unemployment problem, have the most important role in the development of the tourism boom in the respondents view. Besides, positive role of tourism in rural areas, this industry, have been accompanied with negative consequences such as destruction of vegetation, sharp increases in the price of land and housing, rising false prices and land speculation, loss of traditional culture, and social conflict between the host and guest communities in the region. Lack of effective planning and management can lead to none existence of the positive effects and creation of negative consequences of tourism. Therefore, it is necessary to use correctly the tourism opportunities available in the area for leisure needs of Marivan citizens on one hand and economic and social revitalization of rural areas on the other hand. 1079

7 So, it is recommended that comprehensive development plan of rural tourism should be developed in the Marivan region with regard to opportunities and threats and specifying the unique management. Results of factor analysis of rural tourism role in sustainable rural development showed frontier market improvement and variety of economic activities factor has 19.65% of variance and the Eigen value of 5.92 and has been the first factor in sustainable development of rural tourism in Marivan region. The results showed as well that development of employment and entrepreneurship, the region cultural development, economic development and increase in welfare services and conserving natural resources by reducing the pressure on it has the variance equal to 16.61/%, 12.32%, 11.26% and 11.21% respectively. This result is consistent with several studies such as Eftekhari and Mahdavi, 2007, William, AM and Hall, CM, 2000, and Tourism & Touring Organization, According to the findings on one hand and the main problems of villages in the region, i.e. unemployment and poverty on the other hand, development of rural tourism can play a major role in increasing employment and development of rural industries and resulting in reducing poverty and increasing prosperity to the region. Therefore, considering historical, natural and cultural attractions, and very favorable geographical area in rural tourism, it is recommended that rural tourism should be considered as the axis for socio - economic development of the region. REFERENCES Alizadeh K Impacts of tourists on environmental resources. Geographical Studies Issue. 5. Faqihi H, Kazemi M Cultural basis of tourism development. Proceedings of Studying the policies and programs for development of tourism in Iran. The University of Allameh Tabatabai. Farazmand H Issues about rural tourism forgotten industry. Ettelaat Newspaper. Pp. 5. From Database of Iran publications. Kazemi M Tourism environment and challenges for tourism sustainable development in developing countries. Journal of Management Science of Iran. Autumn. Madhooshi M, Naserpour N Evaluating the Barriers against tourism industry development in Lorestan. Journal of Commerce Researches. Issue. 28. Autumn. Morad Nezhadi, Nazari Tourism and rural development in Iran. Jihad Mostafazadeh A Rural tourism Interaction with agricultural economy by emphasizing on Iran. Sonboleh. Issue 177. Papoly Yazdi MH, Saghaei M Tourism (nature and concept). Tehran. The publication of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry. Qadri I The role of rural tourism in sustainable rural development. PhD thesis. The University of Tarbiat Modarres. Rukn Al-Din Eftekhari A, Ghaderi The role of rural tourism in rural development, Journal of Modarres of Human Science, Volume VI, Issue II. Rukn Al-Din Eftekhari A, Mahdavi D Rural tourism development strategies using SWOT model: small Lavasan district. Journal of Modarres of Human Science Vol 10, Issue 2. Sadr Mousavi, Dakhili Kahnamouei Assessment of tourism facilities in the East Azerbyjan province in tourist s perspective. Geographic researches. Autumn. Sharifzadeh A, Moradinezhad Sustainable development and rural tourism, Economic and Social monthly magazine. Jihad, June and July, Issue 251. Sharplee R Rural Tourism. Translation by Dr. Monshizadeh, R. et al, Tehran, Monshi Tayebi. et al Studying the relationship between tourism development and economic growth in Iran ( ), Journal of Human and Social Sciences, Year Seven/ Issue 26 / Autumn. Tourism & Touring Organization: National Programme of Tourism Development, Tourism & Touring Organization