Analysis of barriers to tourism development in rural North Khorasan Province

The main purpose of this research is to investigate the obstacles to the development of rural tourism in the target villages of Northern Khorasan, and to present an appropriate strategic model for those villages. Hence, two methods of documentary and field study have been employed to prepare the theoretical framework of our research and examine the present condition. Testing the hypotheses of the research reveals that there is a meaningful and positive correlation between the cultural and educational problems and the problems related to the development of tourism. Environmental problems are the second major obstacle and infrastructural problems are next in significance. Marketing and management problems have no meaningful relation to the dependant variable, yet in regression analysis, they show an increasing influence on the failure in tourism development. Therefore, by taking appropriate measures such as providing proper services and facilities, and appropriate planning and strategies regarding educational programs, and reconstruction of tourism infrastructures in villages, and publicizing tourism destinations and attractions and products of the target villages, we can highly improve the development of rural tourism.