The small-scale farmers in Iran and around the world have experienced the highest level of drought vulnerability among all social groups in recent years. As very little research has been carried out on two areas, including (i) statistics and information on the status of adaptation, and (ii) the appropriate adaptation strategies for small-scale farmers under drought conditions, this paucity has increased their vulnerability level. Therefore, this study was conducted to address this gap in two steps. First, farmers' adaptation was calculated using 35 indicators in the form of a sustainable livelihood model. Second, the combined model SWOT-FAHP-TOWS was used to develop 12 appropriate strategies to increase farmers' adaptation to drought. In this study, two groups of small-scale farmers and agricultural experts in northwestern Iran were included in the statistical population. The results revealed that the studied farmers do not have high adaptation because more than 75% of them showed low and moderate adaptation to drought. Furthermore, according to our findings, the two strategies “supporting the development and establishment of microcredit organizations and funds using the spirit of empathy and rich culture of farmers to diversify their livelihoods” and “organizing consultative meetings between experts and farmers to combine indigenous and modern knowledge for increasing the effectiveness of drought mitigation programs” are the most effective approaches to deal with drought. Overall, the results of this study can be helpful for policymakers and planners to sustain farmers' livelihood under drought conditions. 

SWOT-FAHP-TOWS analysis for adaptation strategies development among small-scale farmers in drought conditions

The small-scale farmers in Iran and around the world have experienced the highest level of drought vulnerability among all social groups in recent years. As very little research has been carried out on two areas, including (i) statistics and information on the status of adaptation, and (ii) the appropriate adaptation strategies for small-scale farmers under drought conditions, this paucity has increased their vulnerability level. Therefore, this study was conducted to address this gap in two steps. First, farmers' adaptation was calculated using 35 indicators in the form of a sustainable livelihood model. Second, the combined model SWOT-FAHP-TOWS was used to develop 12 appropriate strategies to increase farmers' adaptation to drought. In this study, two groups of small-scale farmers and agricultural experts in northwestern Iran were included in the statistical population. The results revealed that the studied farmers do not have high adaptation because more than 75% of them showed low and moderate adaptation to drought. Furthermore, according to our findings, the two strategies “supporting the development and establishment of microcredit organizations and funds using the spirit of empathy and rich culture of farmers to diversify their livelihoods” and “organizing consultative meetings between experts and farmers to combine indigenous and modern knowledge for increasing the effectiveness of drought mitigation programs” are the most effective approaches to deal with drought. Overall, the results of this study can be helpful for policymakers and planners to sustain farmers' livelihood under drought conditions.

Sustainable development is one of the issues that many developed and developing countries focus on in the world. The sustainability of human and natural resources is of great importance for securing the world and humanity's common future. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the socio-economic structure of Erzurum with analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and digitized strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis considering sustainable development goals (SDGs). The items included in the Agenda 21 report of the United Nations and 17 SDGs determined by the United Nations were taken into consideration in this endeavour. In line with expert opinions, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats created by the sustainable development goals for Erzurum province were analysed statistically with the AHP. Priority and weighted values of each sub-criterion were calculated. According to this analysis, “the richness of natural, cultural and historical resources for tourism potential” ranks first among the strengths of the province regarding sustainable development goals. Weaknesses include “insufficient investment and entrepreneurial culture”. However, “priority region status for development” criterion stands out as the most important opportunity. Threats include “loss of labour force due to migration from agricultural areas” criterion. After the statistical analysis, the quantitative results of made for the best realization of sustainable development for the area were assessed to specify new goals and strategies. Suggestions were offered to define opportunities and strengths, threats and weaknesses with new-build strategies and to make the plans accordingly.

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Sustainable development goals assessment of Erzurum province with SWOT-AHP analysis

This paper attempts to develop criteria and indicators (C&I) for measuring the sustainability of ecotourism activities in Penang National Park (PNP) in Malaysia. In carrying out this objective, a Delphi process with Content Validity Ratios—a non-parametric tool—for generating a consensus for C&I sets was adopted with 30 academic and non-academic experts in sustainable tourism, ecotourism, and forestry. After four rounds of discussion, the panel members reached a consensus on a C&I set which consists of ecological (three criteria and seven indicators), social (three criteria and eight indicators), economic (two criteria and four indicators), and institutional (one criterion and two indicators) factors for ecotourism management. A consistency reliability test was also conducted, and the Cronbach’s alpha values of criteria and indicators were reported to be acceptable. This C&I set enables the provision of a suitable approach for managing ecotourism in a sustainable manner in Penang National Park. It can serve as an instrument for the sustainability evaluation and monitoring of ecotourism management in PNP by the Department of Wildlife and Tourism Organization in Malaysia. The proposed approach and the resulting C&I could be resonated with other national parks as ecotourism destinations with similar relevant characteristics of the PNP.

The use of the Delphi method with non-parametric analysis for identifying sustainability criteria and indicators in evaluating ecotourism management: the case of Penang National Park (Malaysia)

Implementing sustainable ecotourism in Lafour region, Iran: Applying a clustering method based on SWOT analysis

Sustainable ecotourism development (SED) in areas with a low potential for development through other sectors, can be a sustainable income-generating activity for locals and a place for tourists to spend their free time. In this regard, planners and policymakers must focus on SED in areas with a meanwhile, if we want to develop ecotourism, we need to evaluate the existing ecotourism areas in each region. Indeed, a study is required that can follow this goal using sustainability indicators. This study was conducted to develop a model to recognize the indicators of evaluating the Ecotourism Sustainability (EES) and to fill the gap of research for SED in the west of Iran. Accordingly, we identified 30 indicators in three dimensions (economic, social, and environmental) of sustainability for EES in six eco-touristic areas in the west of Iran. The best area (Gahar Lake) was selected using the Composite Index (CI). Then, we formulated and ranked the strategies in the SWOT-AHP-TOWS analysis. The results of the CI section showed that the weight of economic indicators in EES was greater than that of other dimensions. AHP analysis revealed that the most important criteria for the SED in Gahar Lake were the opportunities in this area. Also, according to the ranking of strategies extracted in the matrix of TOWS, the most important strategy was “Advertising and introducing the beautiful nature of the lake nationally and internationally”. Our main suggestion is for Iran’s Tourism Organization to pursue more serious negotiations with international organizations for the global registration of the lake as an ecotourism zone.

Zeinab Asadpourian

Papers

SWOT-AHP-TOWS Analysis for Sustainable Ecotourism Development in the Best Area in Lorestan Province, Iran