The Role of Ecotourism in Job Opportunities and Income

Ecotourism is compatible kind of tourism. Today، tourism industry has a great role in creating job opportunities and increasing income level. Having unique ecotourism properties (subcategorized under natural parks، jungle and plain، river and lake، waterfall، spring and cave – as one of these attractions، upside-down tulip plains can be named which have a national function) and regarding geographical position، Khansar can play its role in economic، social and cultural fields and can benefit this industry to provide job opportunities and increase the income of it residents. The aim of present study is to investigate ecotourism effects and to analyze the role of aforementioned capabilities in development of the area and creating job opportunities and increasing income. Hence، this study is performed on the basis of statistical data and field observation of attractive ecotourism sites at the peak time of ecotourism and data analysis is carried out through SPSS software. The sample size - according to requirements of minimum sample in descriptive-survey researches- consists of 100 questionnaires filled by tourists and 20 questionnaires filled by officials related to the subject of research. The results of Binomial Test about the effect of Khansar’s ecotourism on job opportunities (10/2) and also on income increase suggest that ecotourism in this city not only has created job opportunities and increased the income in the area; it also shows a correlation between ecotourism and creating job opportunities (Correlation Coefficient. /59) and income increase (Correlation Coefficient. /56).