Evaluation and Prioritization of The Tourism Villages of Kurdistan Province For Investment

Tourist attractions, as one of the pillars of the tourism industry, along with other elements, will provide the necessary conditions for attracting tourists. Tourism development has many direct and indirect economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits for the host community and plays a vital role in shaping the development pattern. Considering the importance of tourism in economic development and the potential of tourism in the villages of Kurdistan, it is necessary to use a proper approach to prioritize areas for different investments. The research method was descriptive-analytical, and the statistical population consisted of the villages’ tourists. The ranking results show that Palangan, Celine, and Jivar are first to third, respectively. According to the results of the TOPSIS model, public sector investment in infrastructures, especially roads, contributes significantly to tourism development in these villages. Also, Private sector investment is recommended in higher-ranked villages in the fields of eco-tourism, handicrafts, and related industries.