Analysis of the Livability of Tourism Target Villages (Case Study: Ardabil District)

This study evaluated the livability of 11 tourist target villages in the Ardabil district (Ardebil, Nemin, Sarein and Nair counties) using a descriptive-analytical approach. A number of indicators and items related to livability have been determined based on the studies conducted (4 dimensions, 14 indicators, and 65 items). In the next step, the questionnaire was developed by the researcher and after confirming the validity and reliability; It was distributed according to the population of the entire region. The sample size was determined using the Cochran method (360 samples) and the number of samples for the studied villages was determined according to the population of each village. In the following, Shannon's entropy technique was used to weight the indicators, and based on Prescott Allen's point of view and Vicor's technique, the livability status of the studied villages was examined at 5 levels (completely favorable to completely unfavorable). The results show that none of the studied villages are in a completely unfavorable state of livability, and the village of Bileh-Dargh is in first place with a score of 0.84 and is in a state of complete desirability of livability. 53.7 percent of the studied villages have a favorable livability status. With a score of 0.57, the village of Ilanjuq is ranked 8th and has an average livability status. 27.2 percent of the villages, i.e. 3 villages of Golestan, Sardabe and Korabaslu, while being in an unfavorable condition of livability, have occupied the 9th to 11th ranks. This research showed that tourism development has played an important role in improving the livability of the studied villages.