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 and
adventure ecotourists. Broad and white salt plains, golden dunes as well as light green, yellow and
red hilly areas make a wonderful spectrum of worth seeing colors for desert tourists in daylight. In
fact, a variety form of natural formation such as desert forms (of wind and water erosion), special
flora and fauna and beautiful panoramas are among many wonders to natural ecotourists. All the
above attractions, if managed properly may provide positive impacts on local communities residing
surrounding some of the areas. However, the benefits of sustainable ecotourism in desert areas in Iran
are seldom been explored and studied. This study based on latest information and data has conducted
in the first half of 2010 during the desert tourism season in Iran.The study indicates that desert
tourism helps to create a sustainable employment for the local people and increases gross production
as well as preserves valuable plant and animal species, cult. This article aims to explore the benefits
of desert tourism in Iran for the local community as well as for the country heritage and stabilizes
society institution at the macro levels. This article also tries to identify issues of desert ecotourism
including over pressurred on natural resources. This pressure takes the form in particular of
overexploitation of land resources, and the excessive clearing and harvesting of land cover. The
results are diminished crop yield, polluted streams and groundwater. The article concludes with
suggestions of a holistic way of developing natural attractions for sustainable desert ecotourism in
Iran.