Extended Abstract
Introduction
In developing countries, rural areas face challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and migration—issues that highlight the inefficiency of traditional development approaches. In this context, entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism has emerged as a modern and sustainable strategy that leverages natural and cultural attractions while emphasizing environmental conservation, community participation, and economic empowerment. The integration of ecotourism and entrepreneurship plays a key role in revitalizing local economies by creating employment opportunities, increasing income, and reducing migration. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, with its high unemployment rate and predominantly rural population, exemplifies the need for this strategy. This research novelly integrates entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism with spatial analysis to propose practical solutions aimed at overcoming these challenges, enhancing local participation, and promoting spatial justice. Accordingly, the study seeks to address the following core questions: 1-What is the status of entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism components in rural settlements of the province? 2-What is the spatial pattern of entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism development in the rural settlements of the province?
 
Methodology
This applied, quantitative study analyzes the spatial dimensions and indicators of entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism in the rural areas of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. Using a descriptive–analytical and correlational survey design, data were collected through library research, interviews, questionnaires, and software-based analysis. The statistical population consisted of 2,167 households across 14 ecotourism-capable villages. From this population, 281 households were selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection relied on a researcher-designed questionnaire comprising 109 items, the validity of which was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was established through a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of.83. Ecotourism indicators were classified into six dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, environmental, institutional-managerial, infrastructural-technical, and individual-psychological. Data analysis was conducted in both descriptive and inferential stages, utilizing MCDM techniques, including the MARCOS and MEREC models. The province was selected as a case study due to its rich ecotourism potential and persistent developmental constraints.
 
Results and Discussion
Descriptive analysis of the host community revealed that most respondents were from the village of Deil, while the fewest were from Tang-e-Tamradi. The majority of respondents were male, married, and aged between 26 and 35 years. Most were employed in the service sector, followed by agriculture and industry. Regarding the dimensions of ecotourism development, the individual-psychological dimension achieved the highest score (2.80), whereas the infrastructural-technical dimension recorded the lowest (2.62). Spatial analysis using the MARCOS and MEREC models indicated that the village of Darreh Shahniz, benefiting from rich natural attractions, accessibility, and relatively strong infrastructure, ranked highest across all dimensions. In contrast, the village of Meymand ranked lowest due to its remoteness and weak institutional support. In most villages, average indicator scores remained below the benchmark value of 3, reflecting underdeveloped ecotourism capacity. The weakest indicators were “access to financial resources” and “product marketing” in Tang-e-Tamradi, while the strongest indicator was “transportation infrastructure development” in Darreh Shahniz. Overall, the findings indicate an unsatisfactory and unstable condition for entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism development in the region, although some villages—particularly Darreh Shahniz, Deil, and Sarbisheh—demonstrate relatively more favorable conditions.
 
Conclusion
This study conceptualizes ecotourism from an entrepreneurial perspective as a novel and viable strategy for sustainable rural development. By leveraging local capacities and fostering community participation, this approach can promote economic diversification, population retention, and the sustainable utilization of natural resources. The proposed model is particularly well suited to the culturally and environmentally rich context of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. However, the findings reveal that entrepreneurship-oriented ecotourism in the region faces structural and systemic challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited training opportunities, weak institutional support, and restricted access to financial resources. The consistently low indicator scores (below 3 on a five-point scale) reflect these limitations. To address these challenges, the study recommends strategies including equitable infrastructure provision, strengthening local institutions, targeted capacity-building programs and etc…. These measures aim to facilitate a transition from subsistence-based ecotourism to an entrepreneurial model centered on innovation, public participation, and the integration of nature, economy, and culture.

capacities, and establishing inter-agency coordination are essential to ensure that Tehran’s fringe development policies achieve their true role as a key tool for securing urban quality of life and environmental protection.