Analysis of Causal Relationships between Factors Affecting Ecotourism Development Using a Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach, Case Study: Yazd City

The purpose of this study is investigating the cause and effect relationship between the factors affecting the development of ecotourism in Yazd city using descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population included experts in the tourism and ecotourism industry of Yazd city who were selected using purposive sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The reliability of the measurement tool was 0.7. The novelty of the research is to determine the causal relationships between the factors affecting the development of ecotourism using the DEMATEL approach in Yazd city. The results show that the factors influencing in development of ecotourism in Yazd city is including Appropriate planning and management, Education and training manpower in the field of ecotourism, The direct supervision of the government and institutions active in the field of ecotourism, existence of experts fluent in the living languages of the world along with tourist attractions, culturization tourism development and promotion of culture tourism to citizens (host society), Trying to improve security in the region and enact environmental laws to intensify charges and impose more restrictions.