Ecological footprint analysis of tourism management in rural areas

Ecological footprint analysis is one of the most useful models for the environmental impact assessment of human activities. This research aimed to estimate the environmental impacts of the tourism industry on Hosainabad village, Kurdistan Province, Iran by using the ecological footprint model. A descriptive-analytical method is used based on documentary library studies as well as field surveys. The statistical population for this study is the number of tourists who visited Hosainabad village in 2018. The findings show that the tourism ecological footprint in Hosainabad village in food, transportation, heating, water, electricity, and waste generation groups was 0.994 hectares) per capita). Comparing this amount with its surrounding spaces indicates that the tourism industry in Hosainabad relies on an area beyond this village to meet its biological needs and environmental sustainability. Findings suggest that decision-makers must pay enough attention to tourists' activities in small areas in order to prevent further environmental disruption.