Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
2
Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
10.22067/jrrp.2026.99854.1175
Abstract
Purpose- Sustainable rural tourism development requires the establishment of a governance system based on participation, institutional interaction, and local community empowerment. Despite the considerable tourism potential of western Mazandaran Province, the lack of a context-specific framework for participatory governance has posed challenges to the realization of sustainable development. Therefore, this study aims to explain a participatory governance framework for achieving sustainable rural tourism development in western Mazandaran Province.
Design/methodology/approach- This applied research adopts a qualitative approach. Data were collected through 25 semi-structured interviews with academic experts, managers, and practitioners in the fields of tourism and rural development. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the thematic networks approach proposed by Attride-Stirling (2001).
Finding- The analysis of the data resulted in the extraction of 50 initial codes, 10 concepts, 5 basic themes, 3 organizing themes, and one global theme. The global theme of the study was identified as a participatory governance framework for sustainable rural tourism development based on institutional interaction, local community empowerment, and strategic management of natural and cultural resources. The findings showed that participatory governance can be effective when coordination and interaction among responsible institutions, genuine stakeholder participation, economic and social empowerment of local communities, integrated destination management, protection of natural and cultural resources, strategic planning, infrastructure development, and entrepreneurship promotion are pursued synergistically. Furthermore, the findings indicated that local community empowerment plays a driving role in enhancing participation, strengthening social capital, improving the quality of decision-making, and increasing the resilience of rural tourism destinations.
Practical Implications- Establishing integrated destination management mechanisms, strengthening coordination among responsible institutions, developing the capacities and skills of local communities, supporting local entrepreneurship and indigenous businesses, expanding stakeholder participation in decision-making processes, and protecting natural and cultural resources are among the most important strategies for achieving participatory governance and sustainable rural tourism development in the region.
Originality/value– The originality of this study lies in developing a context-specific participatory governance framework based on thematic analysis and tailored to the characteristics of western Mazandaran Province. By integrating institutional, managerial, and social dimensions, the proposed framework can serve as a practical basis for policymaking, planning, and managing sustainable rural tourism development at both regional and national levels.
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