Tourism management studies of the smart era

Tourism management studies of the smart era

Eco-lodges and the Transformation of Rural Destination Settlements: Toward Smart Planning in South Khorasan Province

Document Type : Original Article- original research

Authors
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
Abstract
In recent years, urban fatigue and the growing desire for nature-based experiences have led to an increase in short-term stays by city residents in tourist-oriented rural areas. This trend, driven by the expansion of eco-lodges, has produced diverse structural and functional impacts on destination settlements, some evident through spatial transformations and others shaping future development trajectories. This study adopts a macro-level approach to examine the effects of rural ecotourism on spatial transformation and restructuring in rural destination settlements in South Khorasan Province, aiming to provide a logical foundation for smart planning. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in method. The statistical population included 24 eco-lodges with over five years of operation in 12 selected villages, surveyed through a complete census at the settlement level. At the household level, 203 households were randomly selected using Cochran’s formula, and quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistical tests in SPSS. Findings reveal that eco-lodges and rural ecotourists, as key components of sustainable tourism, have significantly contributed to the physical, economic, and social transformation of destination villages. Physically, authentic architectural preservation, beautification of public and historic spaces, and improvements to access routes were most evident. Economically, outcomes included the growth of tourism-related businesses, increased participation of women in home-based activities, and diversified income sources. Social impacts encompassed strengthened place identity, renewed appreciation of cultural and natural values, revitalization of local traditions, and enhanced collective participation. Overall, the institutionalization of ecotourism emerges as a critical driver of multidimensional spatial transformations and a prescriptive strategy for rural revitalization and spatial development planning.
Keywords
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