Ecotourism Potential Evaluation and Zoning Modelling by Fuzzy Logic, FAHP and TOPSIS (Case Study: the SHAHROOD County)

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Diversity of attractions of IRAN, a lot of historical monuments and natural and cultural heritage left by the different geological periods, has led the world call this land a world in one border. One of the most important natural attractions, is the deserts and salt desert witch accounted about a third of the country’s area. Such expanses of arid areas, requires attention to this potential areas in ecotourism industry, especially in SEMNAN province witch located in IRAN central part and on the MASH’HAD’s High way. Meantime, SHAHROOD County with the enjoyment of a unique landscape is one of the tourist centers and play an important role in providing for ecotourism. As the first step in planning for any kind of recreational activity is lnad capability evaluation. In this study, ecotourism capability in SHAHROOD COUNTY evaluated and zoned by fuzzy logic, FAHP and TOPSIS, and based on 15 criteria (slope, distance of villages, distance of roads, distance of faults, landuse, range cover, aspect, Cloud forest, land slide points, tourist attractions, distance of rivers, distance of flood plain, services, wildlife and elevation) in GIS environment. Finally, the ecotourism capability zoning map of this county is generated. The results shown that 8765 km2 of total areas (51482 km2) has high capability, 2188 km2 has very high capability for ecotourism development. Among the ecotourism attractions Cloud forest is the first priority and the Salt River is the last priority for development.

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