Economic Valuation of Outdoor Recreational Resources of Shahdad District of Kerman in order to Presentation Ecotourism Development Strategic Planning

This study was performed in order to provide a strategic development plan for ecotourism in Shahdad District of Kerman Province. Thus cultural, historical and natural attractions of the region and its surrounding areas were studied and identified initially. By completing Clawson Questionnaire in the form of Travel Cost Method (TCM), valuation and analysis of ecotourism demand index of the considered region was carried out. Considering the mentioned aim a number of 220 Clawson questionnaires at the time of maximum recreational demand (March, 2008 till April, 2008) was filled out in the study area. Based on performed calculations the recreational value of Shahdad District of Kerman was estimated equal to 5,698,250,000 Rial per month at the time of the study. Subsequently in order to compiling and presenting the quantitative strategies of ecotourism development the strategic planning method of SWOT was applied. This method is based on identification of internal factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) as well as the external ones (Opportunities and Threats) of the under studied area. In this regard the internal and external factors were specified using Delphi Method. After identification stage, the internal and external factors were arranged in the form of Internal Factors Evaluation (IFE) and External Factors Evaluation (EFE) Matrices and then scoring and weighing of the mentioned factors were carried out using EXPERT CHOICE Software and Analytical Hierarchy Process Method (AHP). The results obtained from noted above matrices were confirmed that despite the existence of unique natural and cultural attractions which potentially can convert the region as recreational pole of desert areas of the country due to deficiencies like lack of infrastructural facilities, failure introduction and advertising, the under investigation area is placed in competitive situation (ST Strategy). Moreover with the aim of integrating and scrutinizing information derived from internal and external evaluation, the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) was implemented. As regards the results of the noted matrix three strategies were suggested which among them the attraction of private sector investment through banking facilities with long return periods, national wealth transfer in the form of ninty-nine years documents with score of 5.12 were recognized as the most important strategies of ecotourism development in the region over a twenty year period.