Enhancing Sustainability in Belize’s Ecotourism Sector: A Fuzzy Delphi and Fuzzy DEMATEL Investigation of Key Indicators

Sustainable ecotourism has become a strategy to balance tourism growth with environmental and sociocultural considerations. This study aims propose an integrated approach of the Delphi technique decision-making trial evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) based on fuzzy set theory investigate sustainable indicators in Belize. The covers six dimensions: environmental, social, cultural, economic, political, intrinsic. Firstly, Fuzzy constructs comprehensive expert consensus, resulting 51 relevant representative out initial 63. Secondly, DEMATEL is then applied analyze interdependencies among identify their causal relationships, providing insights into complex dynamics results provide structured framework prioritize actions, allocate resources effectively, promote practices sector. Therefore, these findings enhance understanding indicator interconnections across dimensions, enabling informed decision making for policymakers, industry practitioners, researchers. Policymakers can develop policies regulations that foster practices, while practitioners visitor experiences, engage local communities, ensure industry’s long-term viability. Researchers further specific dimensions advance knowledge implementation ecotourism. Finally, this investigation supports goal achieving harmonious between development preservation By safeguarding natural cultural heritage region, benefit present future generations.