Economic Geography Research

Economic Geography Research

The Impact of Tourism Activities on Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Alleviation: Evidence from Villages Surrounding the Arasbaran Forest, Tabriz County

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Department of Economic Development and Planning, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Public Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
This study examines the impact of tourism activities on local livelihoods and poverty reduction in villages surrounding the Arasbaran Forest in Tabriz County.** Using data collected from 384 households, the research analyzes the relationships between social, economic, and environmental variables and their effects on livelihood outcomes, including income, food security, and access to social services.

For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed. Initially, the data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), a widely used software for analyzing social and economic data that provides diverse tools for statistical analysis. Subsequently, multivariate regression models were applied to examine the relationships between variables and their influence on household livelihood outcomes. These models helped assess the effects of independent variables (social, economic, and environmental factors) on the dependent variable (livelihood outcomes). Additionally, ANOVA analysis was conducted to compare means and identify statistically significant differences between groups.

The findings indicate that tourism activities—particularly in accommodation services, handicrafts, and catering—have had significant positive effects on household income. Moreover, factors such as gender, age, household size, and access to credit and markets significantly influenced household participation in tourism activities, thereby improving their livelihoods. Specifically, men earned more than women due to greater access to employment opportunities in the tourism sector.

However, the study also identified challenges, including unequal distribution of benefits and the persistence of poverty among certain local communities. This suggests that, despite the considerable potential of tourism, some segments of the population do not fully benefit from its economic advantages.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 February 2026

  • Receive Date 26 August 2025
  • Revise Date 14 October 2025
  • Accept Date 21 February 2026