Determining ecotourism potential in Cherat Watershed basin using SWOT model

Charat Watershed Basin is the one of fresh, high potential and beautiful mountainous ranges of Mazandaran province. Although it has various ecotourism, geotourism and environmental phenomena, there are no facilities and background for tourism plans. In this study, SWOT methodology has been applied to investigate the potential and limitation of effective geologic items over ecotourism and finally, the best strategic was present for developing the ecotourism development planning. The present study was performed based on a descriptive-analytic methodology and the data collection was done through fieldwork and documentary investigations. Using the SWOT method, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the internal and external areas of the region were identified. Then, according to the matrix of data and analysis of the matrix elements, the most important internal and external factors affecting the cherat region were identified and prioritized. Finally, the strategies for applying appropriate and applicable management were presented for the study area. The findings indicate that the ecotourism power of Cherat village is important for the development of tourism industry. The advantages of tourism opportunities and internal strengths, such as exciting ecotourism attraction and diversity of natural and virgin landscapes in the region, indicate the extremely favorable conditions for nature tourism tours, various ecotourism activities and development of adventure tourism, sports, medical, scientific, summer and winter activities in the region. The results show that the study area has a high potential for the development of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. The results also show that tourism development requires identifying, introducing and promoting advertising, developing facilities and infrastructure, as well as investing on expanding tourism attraction.