Strategic Analysis of Rural Tourism Development in Sarbaz County of Iran

This descriptive survey study aimed at a strategic analysis of rural tourism development in Sarbaz County, Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. The statistical population consisted of experts and activists of tourism related departments of the county including 200 experts (from District Office,, Governor's Office, Relief Committee, Cultural Heritage Organization, Labor Department and Municipality); among them, 130 people were selected as sample size using Morgan table and stratified random sampling method. The required data were collected through documentary and library surveys as well as field studies and analyzed by SWOT technique using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of tourism and possible strategies for tourism development in the region. According to the results, the natural attractions with a relative weight of 0.248 among the strengths and the authorities' belief in employment generation through the tourism development with a relative weight of 0.238 among the opportunities were found to be the highest priorities; also, SO strategy with a relative weight of 0.332 was considered as the most important practical strategy for the rural tourism development in Sarbaz County. Therefore, taking advantage of the development of seasonal markets and exhibitions in the surrounding villages and towns and the supply of tropical products, the establishment of tropical fruit parks, the establishment of eco-tourism resorts along the Sarbaz River, and the emphasis on government support for employment in the most tourist-friendly villages were recommended within the SO strategies.