The Impact of Spatial Factors on Rural Tourism Development (Case Study: Villages in Lorestan)

Rural tourism, as one of the fundamental elements of development, contributes to the economic, social, cultural, and environmental capabilities of rural areas, and by utilizing its countless potentials, it significantly aids in the sustainable development of rural regions. However, in rural development programs and plans, tourism is often either overlooked or, if considered, solely focused on increasing the number of tourists without taking into account the spatial, historical, social, and geographical characteristics of the villages. This has resulted in existing development initiatives not only failing to significantly increase the number of tourists in rural areas but also causing serious damage to the natural landscape and socio-historical fabric of the villages. This research aims to examine rural tourism from an epistemological perspective and explore its dimensions of development. How can a place-based approach be utilized to optimize the potential of rural tourism, capitalize on available opportunities, and achieve sustainable rural tourism development? The research methodology employed is primarily exploratory, with some library-based components. The findings indicate that adopting a holistic and integrated approach to tourism development, considering the local characteristics of each village, can reduce the negative impacts of fragmentation and compartmentalization. Additionally, an epistemological approach to tourism can contribute to strengthening rural tourism, not only through physical interventions but also by leveraging the cultural, social, and identity capacities of each village. Operational strategies, including the preservation of ecological and natural landmarks, revitalization of local qualities, updating livelihood practices, and establishing local cooperation networks, contribute to improving tourism development and enhancing the spatial capacities of rural areas.