Investigating the Effects of Environmental Quality on Satisfaction and Loyalty in Rural Tourism (Case Study: Izeh Sub-Province)

Document Type : Thesis Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

3 MSc., Department of Geography, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Environmental quality is one of the essential and influential components in the planning and development of tourism in rural areas, and it plays an influential role in the tourists' satisfaction and, consequently, their loyalty. In terms of tourism planning, this study investigated the environmental quality of rural tourism destinations and explained the most important factors of environmental quality that affect tourists' satisfaction and loyalty. The descriptive-analytical research method was conducted based on the survey and documentary methods. The statistical population of this research, in terms of location, was the tourist villages located in the sub-province of Izeh, and the participants in the survey were the tourists who had visited the nine sample villages. The number of sample tourists based on the Kochran method for the unknown population is 450 people, and 50 people are considered for each town. The required data were collected through documentary methods and fieldwork (questionnaire). Results show that the environmental quality and tourists' satisfaction and loyalty in the studied rural areas are above average. Among the indicators of environmental quality, the index of dynamic quality of the environment has the most significant impact on tourists' satisfaction and loyalty.

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Main Subjects


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