The Role of Ecotourism Residences in the Development and Prosperity of Food Tourism in Iran(A Case of Masoleh in Gilan province)

Ecotourism destinations and traditional residences within the historical context of Iranian cities represent new opportunities for transferring the heritage of food culture through tourism. These locales play a pivotal role in transmitting local cultural experiences, and the provision of tourism services in these places demands specific terms and conditions to achieve this objective. Food service stands out as one of the most vital services that have not been adequately designed by relevant institutions with specific criteria and features in mind. This research aims to investigate the impact of ecotourism residences on food tourism in Masuleh city. To accomplish this, a set of data collection methods aimed at description and analysis were employed. A researcher-designed questionnaire, consisting of two parts, was used. The first part included demographic questions, such as age, gender, and education, among others. The second and principal part of the questionnaire contained questions based on key indicators, assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Dimitl’s technique was applied to examine the research’s conceptual model. The correlation analysis of indicators revealed a negative relationship between the quantity of ecotourism accommodations and their quality. A positive relationship with a coefficient of 0.005 was found between the quantity of ecotourism accommodations and the development of food tourism, and a positive relationship with a coefficient of 0.000 was observed between the quality of ecotourism accommodations and tourism development.