مؤسسة الشرق الأوسط للنشر العلمي
عادةً ما يتم الرد في غضون خمس دقائق
Ecotourism is increasingly promoted as a sustainable approach to tourism development in protected natural areas; however, its effectiveness depends largely on public understanding and perception. This study examines perceptions of ecotourism within a coastal protected area in Lebanon, using the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve as a case study. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a quantitative survey of 300 respondents with ten semi-structured interviews conducted with key local stakeholders. The findings reveal significant gaps in awareness regarding the reserve’s protected status, marine natural resources, and submerged cultural heritage. Ecotourism is predominantly perceived as a recreational activity rather than a conservation-oriented and educational practice. The study highlights the role of perceptual invisibility in undermining ecotourism effectiveness and argues that strengthening environmental education and interpretive communication is essential for enhancing sustainable ecotourism outcomes in coastal protected areas.