Assessing Challenges and Barriers to the Development of Water-Based Tourism in Khuzestan Province: A Hierarchical Analysis (AHP) Approach by Water Resource Type (Sea, Wetland, River, and Dam)
Subject Areas : Scientific
Morteza Moradi
1
,
hamid asayesh
2
*
,
Mahdi Kamali
3
,
Mahdi Zahedgharavi
4
1 - Department of Economics. Al.C., Islamic Azad University. Aligudarz. Iran
2 - Department of Economics, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University
3 - Department of Economics, Qe.C., Islamic Azad University, Qeshm, Iran
4 - Assistant professor, member of the faculty of the Department of Economics, Ayatollah Borujerdi University, Borujerd, Iran
Keywords: Water-based tourism, Khuzestan Province, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Environmental challenges, Economic barriers, Infrastructural constraints .,
Abstract :
This study investigates the challenges and barriers hindering the development of water-based tourism in Khuzestan Province, Iran, with a disaggregated analysis of four key aquatic resources: the Persian Gulf, wetlands (Hoor al-Azim and Shadegan), rivers (Karun and Karkheh), and major dams. Despite possessing exceptional natural potential—characterized by extensive coastal ecosystems, biodiverse wetlands, perennial river systems, and large-scale reservoirs—Khuzestan faces significant constraints that impede the growth of its water-based tourism sector. Through a structured framework, challenges were categorized into five dimensions: environmental, economic, infrastructural, socio-cultural, and legal. Key impediments include water pollution from industrial and agricultural effluents, progressive desiccation of wetlands, inadequate infrastructure (e.g., lack of modern piers, access roads, and visitor facilities), resistance from local communities, and complex regulatory frameworks governing water resource ownership and usage. To prioritize these challenges, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was employed, utilizing pairwise comparison questionnaires completed by 882 tourism experts and stakeholders. The results indicate that economic challenges—notably insufficient investment and financial instability—and environmental challenges—particularly water pollution and biodiversity loss—are the most critical barriers across all four water resource domains. Based on empirical findings, this study proposes a multi-dimensional policy agenda: (1) implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM); (2) incentivizing private-sector investment through public-private partnerships; (3) large-scale remediation of pollution sources; (4) community education and capacity-building programs; (5) digital marketing and branding initiatives to promote Khuzestan as an eco-tourism destination; and (6) legislative reforms to clarify property rights and streamline regulatory approvals. These interventions are expected to transform Khuzestan into Iran’s premier water-based tourism hub, generate up to 7,500 direct employment opportunities, enhance regional economic resilience, and contribute meaningfully to the objectives of Iran’s Seventh National Development Plan, particularly in promoting sustainable development and ecological conservation.
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