Document Type : Original Article
Abstract
Background and Objectives:
Natural attractions and diverse geographical climates have provided significant economic benefits to human society. However, these alone are not sufficient to foster the growth and development of the tourism industry, as their successful exploitation requires creation of specific conditions, which depend on the stability of the tourism sector. Sabzevar, located along the route of more than 20 million pilgrims traveling to the Razavi shrine, faces a challenge: despite the large flow of travelers, the city lacks the necessary facilities, and its tourism potential remains largely untapped. As a result, many travelers pass through this historic city without stopping. The main objective of this research is to examine the impact of establishing a tourist campsite on the order of travelers, their length of stay, and their satisfaction in Sabzevar, as well as to identify the most suitable location for such a campsite.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the best location for a tourist campsite in Sabzevar was identified using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a GIS environment. To achieve the research's primary goal, criteria such as climatic comfort, land use, elevation, slope direction and percentage, distance from faults, rivers, roads, service centers, settlements, and population density were identified and extracted from available resources. The second step involved extracting these criteria layers using Google Earth and Remote Sensing software. Data processing included converting vector layers into raster format and assigning weights to the criteria based on their importance (on a scale from very high = 9, high =7, medium = 5, low = 3, to very low= 1). The weights were determined by consulting 20 experienced experts in the field. Finally, using the overlay method and weighted sum analysis, the study area was categorized into three zones based on its potential for ecotourism camping.
Results: The findings revealed that the best time to visit Sabzevar in terms of climatic comfort is during the spring, which accounted for 48% of the data. The study also identified the types of camps used by tourists in the region, with most preferring gazebos. Three potential locations for the establishment of a tourist campsite were identified: Location A (west of the city) with a score of 52.9% as the most suitable, Location B with a score of 35.9%, and Location C with a score of 11.7%. Additionally, 34% of travelers expressed a very high need for a campsite in the city, 35% felt the need to a high degree, 24% to an average degree, and approximately 7.5% to a low or very low degree. The assessment of services required by tourists and travelers in Sabzevar indicated that they were inadequate, which could significantly impact their length of stay. Moreover, travelers identified the most critical weaknesses as the city’s existing infrastructure, especially in passenger service centers, including accommodations and related services.
Conclusion: Given Sabzevar’s location as a transit point for travelers heading to Mashhad, the areas near major communication routes with adequate infrastructure are the most suitable for the construction of tourist campsites. Ensuring security in these areas is crucial for achieving ecotourism objectives. Additionally, private sector involvement in establishing tourist campsites, providing investment opportunities, and developing sports and cultural facilities at the campsites can play a key role in attracting more travelers.
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