Journal of Rural Research

Journal of Rural Research

Theoretical Conceptions of the Territorial Approach in Sustainable and Resilient Rural Tourism Planning

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mehdi Pourtaheri 1
Sahar Ravanbeh 2
1 Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran.Iran
2 School of Hospitality Business Management, Carson College of Business, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
10.22059/jrur.2026.416401.2125
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
Territorial development, which entails the utilization of endogenous resources, is regarded as a relatively new approach based on enhancing the competitiveness of local productive and institutional systems through multidimensional, multifunctional, and regionally diverse principles. In recent years, rural tourism has become one of the strategies adopted to promote, develop, and integrate local factors through the territorial approach. This approach has not only contributed to the achievement of development objectives but has also enhanced the resilience of rural communities. Accordingly, the United Nations has declared 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. This article examines recent trends and advances in rural tourism development as a strategic action informed by the territorial approach at the local scale. The study shows that rural areas whose natural, social, and economic foundations are dependent on tourism need to adopt a territorial approach in order to achieve sustainable development and resilience. Within this framework, the territorial approach has contributed to identifying and prioritizing the most urgent local challenges in the field of rural tourism. It has also provided more sustainable and resilient solutions for villages with tourism potential. Thus, by explaining the theoretical conceptions of the territorial approach, this article contributes to strengthening the foundations of territorial science in sustainable and resilient rural tourism planning.
Keywords
Territorial Approach
Territory
Rural Tourism
Sustainable Development
Resilience
Subjects
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Journal of Rural Research
Volume 17, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 35-52

  • Receive Date 15 January 2026
  • Revise Date 25 February 2026
  • Accept Date 01 April 2026