Evaluating Ecotourism Sustainability Indicators for Protected Areas in Tehran, Iran

Ecotourism in protected areas facilitates responsible travel to natural places that conserve the environment, deliver economic benefits local communities, and offer interpretation education visitors. Proper planning sufficient monitoring of ecotourism sustainability indicators is needed manage visitor activities areas. Therefore, identifying major impacts mitigating them early stages development could contribute significantly achievement sustainable development. There a current gap between situation field academic contributions this problem Iran. In present study, we evaluated levels four different types Iran, including Lar National Park, Jajrud Protected Area with Sustainable Use Natural Resource Areas, Tangeh Vashi Monument, Kavdeh Wildlife Refuge. We developed comprehensive list indicators, 38 environmental–physical dimension, 42 demographic–social 30 economic–institutional dimension. Harnessing community expertise, adopted Delphi approach determine factors impacting sustainability. Park was most because high restrictions protecting area difficulty access. Conversely, lowest at which allowed for an uncontrolled influx discuss further impact sustainability, such as population growth, expanding urbanization, increase physical activities, extended annual periods activities. Although presented are specific study can also be seen provide template plan other countries. Altogether, our results suggest conducting type-by-type analysis particular circumstances various