تأثیر توسعه اکوتوریسم بر توانمندسازی زنان روستایی در مناطق کویری شهرستان دامغان

1. Introduction The impact of ecotourism development on the empowerment of rural women in the desert areas of Damghan County

The global challenges of sustainable development, social justice, and natural resource conservation underscore the necessity of women's active participation. Ecotourism, as a form of community-based sustainable tourism, presents a novel strategy for local development by emphasizing nature, conservation, sustainability, and equitable benefit distribution. This study investigates the impact of ecotourism development on the economic, social, environmental, and psychological empowerment of rural women in the arid regions of Damghan County, Iran. Women in these areas, despite their crucial role in household economies and natural resource management, face significant structural, cultural, and economic constraints that limit their participation in development processes. Damghan's unique desert landscapes, cultural heritage, and indigenous knowledge offer significant potential for ecotourism, which can serve as a tool for local economic revitalization. The central research question is: How can the development of ecotourism contribute to the multidimensional empowerment of rural women in these arid regions?

2. Research Methodology

This applied-fundamental research employed a quantitative, descriptive-survey methodology with a causal approach. The statistical population consisted of women residing in five villages of Damghan County (Amirieh, Seyed Abad, Abdol Abad, Emrovan, and Ghodrat Abad), estimated at 850 individuals. Using Cochran's formula for a finite population, a sample size of 265 was determined. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure proportional representation from each village. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire, designed based on international standard scales like RETS and TPB, and its validity and reliability were confirmed (Cronbach's alpha between 0.79 and 0.88). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 3 software, primarily utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses and causal relationships within the research model.

3. Results and discussion

Descriptive findings indicated that the majority of respondents were married (79.2%), aged 35-45 (32.1%), and had elementary to middle school education (58.5%). Over half (56.6%) were homemakers, and 86.8% of households had a monthly income of less than 10 million Tomans.

The structural model analysis revealed that ecotourism development had a significant positive impact on women's empowerment. The path coefficients for the direct effects on the overall empowerment construct were as follows:

• Economic Empowerment: β = 0.369, t = 30.756

• Social Empowerment: β = 0.384, t = 33.161

• Environmental Empowerment: β = 0.375, t = 26.596

• Psychological Empowerment: The relationship was not statistically significant (t = 0.022), suggesting its influence is indirect through other dimensions.

The mean scores for the empowerment dimensions were: Economic (M=3.13), Social (M=3.29), Environmental (M=3.30), and Psychological (M=3.51), indicating a moderate to high level of perceived empowerment.

Crucially, women's empowerment demonstrated a strong, significant, and direct positive impact on ecotourism development itself (β = 0.760, t = 21.410). The coefficient of determination (R²) for the ecotourism development variable was 0.577, indicating that the model explains 57.7% of its variance. The model's goodness-of-fit was acceptable (SRMR = 0.098).

4. Conclusion

The study concludes that ecotourism development significantly contributes to the economic, social, and environmental empowerment of rural women in arid regions. Economic empowerment was realized through increased household income, financial management skills, and new job opportunities in homestays, handicraft sales, and tour guidance. Social empowerment manifested as enhanced self-confidence, increased participation in community decision-making, and stronger social networks. Environmental empowerment was evident through improved knowledge and pro-environmental behaviors. Although psychological well-being (satisfaction, hope) was reported as high, its direct statistical link to overall empowerment was insignificant, implying it is reinforced through economic and social gains. The research confirms a virtuous cycle: ecotourism empowers women, and empowered women, in turn, are key drivers of sustainable ecotourism development. To fully realize this potential, the study recommends comprehensive planning focused on: developing tourism infrastructure (e.g., ecolodges, access roads), providing entrepreneurship and skills training, offering institutional and financial support for women-led businesses, promoting local culture and products, and implementing educational programs to address cultural barriers. This research underscores ecotourism's role not merely as an economic activity but as a strategic, community-based approach for achieving gender equality, social justice, and environmental conservation in Iran's rural arid areas.

However, cultural barriers, lack of infrastructure, and limited institutional support necessitate comprehensive planning, entrepreneurship training, development of tourism infrastructure, and financial support for women-owned businesses.This research emphasizes the central role of women in sustainable development and suggests that policymaking should focus on supporting women-owned businesses, promoting local culture, and addressing cultural barriers. However, cultural barriers, lack of infrastructure, and limited institutional support necessitate comprehensive planning, entrepreneurship training, development of tourism infrastructure, and financial support for women-owned businesses.This research emphasizes the central role of women in sustainable development and suggests that policymaking should focus on supporting women-owned businesses, promoting local culture, and addressing cultural barriers.