Studying the Economic, Socio-Cultural and Environmental Outcomes of Ecotourism on Local Communities Using SEM Model

Abstract

In this paper the ecotourism development (ED) outcomes on economic (ECE), socio-cultural (SCE) and environmental (ENE) effects on local communities was studied. For this purpose, the structural equation model (SEM) model was used. For empirical data and case study, the Kang and Noghondar villages of Khorasan-e-Razavi province of Iran were selected. Results indicated that ecotourism development (ED) has positive significant effect at 1% on economic effects (ECE) of Kang and Noghondar villages. Also, if ED of Kang and Noghondar villages improve 1 unit, ECE will increase equal to 0.81 and 0.83 units, respectively. In addition, ecotourism development (ED) has negative significant effect at 1% on environmental effects (ENE) of Kang and Noghondar villages. Also, if ED of Kang and Noghondar villages improve 1 unit, ENE will decrease equal to 0.67, and 0.69 units, respectively. Finally, ecotourism development (ED) has positive significant effect at 1% on socio-cultural effects (SCE) of Kang and Noghondar villages. Also, if ED of Kang and Noghondar villages improve 1 unit, SCE will decrease increase to 0.74 and 0.71 units, respectively.