Abstract
This study aimed to identify and select areas suitable for ecotourism. In this research, to assess the potential of ecotourism of Masal district, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and GIS were used. For this purpose, appropriate evaluation criteria and sub-criteria were identified for determining recreational potential. Then, using AHP fuzzy, criteria and sub-criteria to determine the importance of assessing the potential recreational area prepared questionnaires and, were distributed among clinicians. Weighted criteria and sub-criteria in each questionnaire were calculated and by averaging the weights, final weight was calculated using the model. The required maps for evaluating of the recreational potential were generated by using GIS software and then these data layers were standardized using pertained function in IDRISI. Finally, the final map of recreational potential was prepared. The results of the final map of ecotourism potential showed that 89.97, 8.61 and 1.42 percent of the total area have very high, low and no potential for ecotourism activities, respectively. Areas with a high density of vegetation and water resources with suitable climatic conditions have the greatest potential for ecotourism activities in the study area. Area with low and poor ecotourism potential are central and eastern parts of the region, and there are low density of ecotourism activities and facilities in this area.
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