SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM IN DESERT AREAS IN IRAN: POTENTIAL AND ISSUES (Ekopelancongan Mapan di Kawasan Padang Pasir Iran: Potensi dan isu)

Abstract

assets provides a spectrum of attraction to many segments of tourists, especially to nature lovers andadventure ecotourists. Broad and white salt plains, golden dunes as well as light green, yellow andred hilly areas make a wonderful spectrum of worth seeing colors for desert tourists in daylight. Infact, a variety form of natural formation such as desert forms (of wind and water erosion), specialflora and fauna and beautiful panoramas are among many wonders to natural ecotourists. All theabove attractions, if managed properly may provide positive impacts on local communities residingsurrounding some of the areas. However, the benefits of sustainable ecotourism in desert areas in Iranare seldom been explored and studied. This study based on latest information and data has conductedin the first half of 2010 during the desert tourism season in Iran.The study indicates that deserttourism helps to create a sustainable employment for the local people and increases gross productionas well as preserves valuable plant and animal species, cult. This article aims to explore the benefitsof desert tourism in Iran for the local community as well as for the country heritage and stabilizessociety institution at the macro levels. This article also tries to identify issues of desert ecotourismincluding over pressurred on natural resources. This pressure takes the form in particular ofoverexploitation of land resources, and the excessive clearing and harvesting of land cover. Theresults are diminished crop yield, polluted streams and groundwater. The article concludes withsuggestions of a holistic way of developing natural attractions for sustainable desert ecotourism inIran.