Modeling and Prioritizing Ecotourism Potential in National Park and Protected Area of Sarigol with Fuzzy-AHP in GIS

Tourism can significantly contribute to protecting and developing the environment and national parks as essential sites. Ecotourism, one sustainable tourism form, is based on natural attractions. This study aims to identify and prioritize appropriate ecotourism sites in Sarigol National Park and Protected Area.

To this end, some criteria, including landform, climate, wildlife habitats, vegetation type and density, and soil of the area, were investigated. Elevation, slope, aspect, precitipation, sunny days in month, soil erosion, soil depth, vegetation type, vegetation density, animal type were assessed as sub-criteria, too. The potential ecological map was drawn using the Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) based on the criteria and sub-criteria. Also, its regional attractiveness map was identified by field investigation with Global Positioning System (GPS) and weighting via a questionnaire and Geographic Information System (GIS), then was compared with the potential ecological map. Finally, appropriate and potential tourism and ecotourism sites were identified.

The results indicated that northern parts of the area, Izi Waterfall, and some parts of the National Park enjoy capabilities of ecotourism development; these sites enjoy both ecological capabilities and attractions to attract tourists.

Identifying ecotourism sites in the present study contributes to better management, tourism development, and protection of the study area.