Abstract:

Although the studied area is located in a pristine environment, and the local population is occupied mostly in agriculture, the increase of tourism activities in the area is starting to show both its benefits and drawbacks. Rural tourism activities increased in the last ten years to an extent in which quantifying the benefits and the drawbacks of tourism impact is becoming a necessity.  The increase of tourism activities increased the size of the arable lands and also the water consumption and use. Keeping the negative tourism impacts to a minimal low is a win for future tourism development strategies.