Formulating a User-Friendly Toolkit for Assessing Sustainable Ecotourism Potential in Protected Areas: A Case Study of Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site

Le Phu Tuan; Takaaki  Nihei; Zaheer  Ahmed; Najaf  Ali; Vu Thi Kim  Oanh

doi:10.38035/dijemss.v6i3.4050

Authors

Le Phu Tuan University of Transport Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
Takaaki Nihei Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
Zaheer Ahmed Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
Najaf Ali Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
Vu Thi Kim Oanh Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38035/dijemss.v6i3.4050

Keywords:

Potential Assessment, Ecotourism Potential, Sustainable Development, Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site, Analytic Hierarchy Process, AHP

Abstract

This study aims to assess the sustainable ecotourism potential of a protected area such as Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site using a user-friendly toolkit that can be used by anyone. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to evaluate the potential of sustainable ecotourism by prioritizing ten criteria. Expert interviews and data analysis were conducted to determine criteria weights, followed by criteria-specific assessments. The assessment identified "Natural Sustainability" as the most critical factor for ecotourism, followed by "The Uniqueness of the Natural Landscape" and "Stakeholder Engagement." Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site scored a total of 7.32, indicating high potential for sustainable ecotourism development. Challenges such as infrastructure limitations and accessibility issues were also highlighted. In addition, a toolkit consisting of 10 criteria and the weights of each criterion was also developed to be applied in the periodic assessment of sustainable ecotourism potential according to scenarios. The study introduces a user-friendly AHP-based toolkit for assessing sustainable ecotourism potential, which can be adapted for other protected areas. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, conservationists, and local stakeholders to prioritize interventions and foster sustainable tourism practices.

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