“Qualitative Analysis of the Challenges to Sustainable Rural Tourism Development in the Hawraman World Heritage Region: A Grounded Theory Approach”

This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing the challenges facing the sustainable development of rural tourism in the global region of Hawraman (Kurdistan province). The research method was qualitative and based on the grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. The findings indicate that the challenges of sustainable tourism development in Hawraman can be classified into five general categories, including challenges related to infrastructure and public services, socio-cultural and local participation, environment, policy and governance, economy, communication, unsustainable management of seasonal tourism, agriculture and livelihood resources, environmental associations, local governance, and the challenges related to the limited role of rural women in the sustainable development of rural tourism. The most significant identified challenges include a lack of transport, accommodation, and communication infrastructure, a lack of coherent management, weak tourism training, institutional disharmony, inadequate waste management, and confrontational attitudes towards development. The results also emphasize the key role of local participation in advancing the goals of sustainable development and show that the lack of effective participation from local communities can threaten the region's cultural and natural capacities. Finally, the research offers suggestions for improving the current situation, including: strengthening local capacities, raising environmental awareness, developing specialized training, and creating coordinating mechanisms between governmental and local institutions. By highlighting the existing challenges, this study emphasizes the necessity of adopting a multidimensional and participatory approach to achieve sustainable tourism development in the Hawraman region.