Ecotourism experience must be linked to indigenous culture architecture and environment expert

Eco-tourism experience must be linked to indigenous culture, architecture and environment: expert

TEHRAN—Eco-tourism is a qualitative experience in the field of tourism that must be linked to the culture, architecture and local environment of each region, Abolfazl Nikoobayan, a cultural heritage expert said.

“In fact, eco-tourism is the closest tourism structure to the field of cultural heritage, because we cannot separate culture and heritage from it. For its balanced development, the real capacities of each region must be identified and strengthened.”

In eco-tourism, the tourist is supposed to experience the nature of the region, see the local architecture, and get acquainted with the food, rituals, events and lifestyle of the people of that region. That is, eco-tourism includes the three main components of nature, architecture and culture, IRNA reported.

Mazandaran province has more than 500 licensed eco-lodge units. However, in some cities such as Tonekabon and north of Savadkuh, the number is very high, and in cities such as Noor, it is less visible. One of the first programs in the area is to prepare a comprehensive map of the province's eco-tourism distribution at the county and even rural levels.

The number of eco-tourism units in Mazandaran has increased significantly and considerably over the past decade, but the quantitative growth has not been accompanied by qualitative growth, and it can even be said that in many cases it has strayed from the right path it could have taken due to not paying attention to the real capacities of each region.

In recent years, a kind of confrontation has formed between luxury facilities such as hotels and eco-lodge unit, and some believe that supporting eco-tourism will reduce the customers of hotels. This view is a simplification of the nature of eco-lodge units and hotels.

Hotels and eco-tourism units are two different models of tourism and are in fact complementary. A hotel provides comfort to tourists with luxury facilities and standard services. However, eco-tourism unit provides peace for tourists by providing a natural and cultural experience.

In many trips, a tourist may spend a few days in nature and eco-lodge unit and then stay in a hotel to rest at the end of the trip. These are not only not competitors, but they can also market to each other.

One of the serious challenges in the field of eco-tourism in Mazandaran is formation of a repetitive pattern in the design of these units; similar structure, wooden railings, blue color, gable roofs and other such things are often seen in Mazandaran eco-tourism accommodations.

KD

source: tehrantimes.com