Investigating the relationship tourism activities with the environmental, cultural, social, and economic conditions of Bandar Turkman port city on the Caspian Sea coast
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 12 No. 4 (1403),
7 July 2025
,
Page 25-32
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v12i4.47653
Abstract
Background and Aims: Tourism is one of the attractive options for environmental protection. The Bandar Torkaman pier, located in the eastern Caspian Sea, is a target tourism area in Golestan Province (Iran). This study aimed to investigate the impacts of tourism activities on the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic conditions of the Bandar Torkaman pier.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2024 using a researcher-made questionnaire with 71 questions. The study population were selected among of 500 participants from three groups indigenous residential (n=250), tourists (n=150), and shop owners (n=100). Data were collected through observation and interviews. SPSS version 20 was used for data description and analysis. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. Ethical considerations were observed throughout all stages of the study.
Results: The results showed that 84% and 69% of the participants believed tourism activities had a significant relationship with economic and socio-cultural components, respectively (P<0.05). Regarding environmental indicators, 49% and 38% of participants stated that tourism had negative and positive effects, respectively (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The development of tourism in the Bandar Torkaman pier has significant economic and socio-cultural benefits. However, balancing these achievements with environmental protection is essential. To reduce negative impacts, tourism activities should prioritize sustainability by supporting eco-friendly businesses and promoting environmental awareness among tourists and locals. Continuous monitoring of environmental indicators is important to ensure the long-term sustainability of tourism in this area.
- Tourism
- Environment Health
- Environment Impact Assessment
- Caspian Sea
How to Cite
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