Attitudes of Rural Residents of Ardabil County of Iran towards the Influence of Guidance [Hadi] Project on Tourism Infrastructural Development

This study investigated rural resident's attitudes towards the influence of rural guidance [Hadi] project on tourism infrastructural development in Ardabil County. Survey research method was used. The statistical population of the study consisted of residents of villages which experienced the guidance project more than five years. A sample of 200 residents was selected randomly and the data was gathered using a questionnaire. Results showed that the project had great influence in the field of disposal and waste reduction; also, its effect was at a moderate to low level regarding the collection of animal waste from the village. However, in providing cultural and recreational spaces, the successes were not acceptable. Most of the rural residents were willing to attract tourists; but in most of the villages, tourism potentials were not suitably used. The rural people who had planned to stay in their villages were more willing to rural tourist attraction than those who were planning to immigrate. Women also were less likely willing to attract tourists in their village than men. Based on the factor analysis, six factors developing rural tourism platforms were extracted that accounted for 75.54 percent of variances.