Assessment of Tourism Business Challenges in the Rural Areas of the Oramanat Region, Kurdistan

Introduction

Tourism is globally recognized as the largest and most complex industry, encompassing diverse dimensions that must correspond to the geographical characteristics of different regions. In areas with significant potential for tourism development that have not achieved satisfactory progress, it is essential to identify the elements and factors that impede tourism growth and dynamism. Tourism enterprises, meanwhile, play a fundamental role in local economic development and job creation. However, numerous threats expose these businesses to collapse and bankruptcy. In such contexts, identifying and analyzing the challenges faced by tourism enterprises and proposing appropriate solutions constitute the central axis of planning and strengthening the sustainability of this sector. Examining these challenges requires a systemic approach, which—if properly analyzed and managed—can expedite tourism development more rapidly than anticipated. The border villages of the Oramanat region exemplify this scenario: due to their unique geographical setting, remarkable architecture, pristine landscapes, and captivating scenery, they have evolved into a major tourist zone hosting multiple enterprises. Yet they face serious problems, including lengthy administrative procedures for business startup, management inefficiencies in launching tourism projects, a lack of supportive legal frameworks for entrepreneurs, insufficient communication and transport infrastructure, social and cultural disruptions, and exposure to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. As a result, most tourism businesses in the region still lack operational sustainability and stability. This study therefore aims to identify and examine the challenges surrounding tourism enterprises in the Oramanat region and propose practical solutions to enhance their resilience and sustainability. By attaining a precise understanding of these challenges, effective measures can be undertaken for the development of local tourism businesses and the broader regional economy.
 

Methodology

The present research adopts an applied orientation and a descriptive–analytical framework. To evaluate the impacts and risks affecting tourism enterprises, the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) technique—originally elaborated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency—was employed. In the phase of identifying business-related challenges, assessing associated damages, and designing solutions to reduce vulnerability, both library-based and field methods (interviews and direct observation) were used for data collection. Given that this research relies on expert judgment, sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved using the targeted snowball technique. Finally, 20 professionals familiar with tourism-business processes in the region were selected as informants. After identifying the challenges and proposed corrective measures, those solutions were prioritized using the Best–Worst Method (BWM). The BWM model was applied to determine the relative weight of each indicator and their compatibility level. The compatibility index in BWM ranges from 0 to 1, with values closer to 0 indicating higher consistency in expert evaluation.
 

Findings

The research findings identified 37 challenges (risks) across four dimensions—economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and managerial. Among these, only six challenges fell within an acceptable range, while 31 challenges were classified as severe or critical. The most acute problems were found to be unequal distribution of tourism income, lack of legislation to mitigate environmental risks and pollution, and insufficient attention to human resources within the industry. The implementation of the proposed corrective strategies demonstrated notable efficacy. After applying the recommended actions, only five risks remained at the critical level, while 26 risks improved to an acceptable status—indicating that 83% of previously severe risks were successfully upgraded. Altogether, 16 key proposals were formulated to address the challenges of tourism businesses in the Oramanat region. Among these recommendations, establishing robust public, institutional, and technological infrastructure emerged as the most influential solution for organizing and stabilizing tourism operations.
 

Discussion and Conclusion

The results obtained from the risk assessment model (FMEA) revealed 37 distinct risks distributed among four principal dimensions—economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and managerial—corroborating previous findings by Brun et al. (2014), Bruton et al. (2010), Akbari and Sadeghi (2022), and Mohammadi (2021). Of these identified risks, 31 (83.7%) were classified as severe, underscoring the urgent need for targeted policy interventions and optimal management strategies. Based on the capacities and conditions of the Oramanat region, 16 feasible solutions were ultimately proposed, the implementation of which resulted in an 83.7% improvement, thereby reducing most risks to acceptable levels and leaving only six (16%) in the critical category. The most successful outcomes were achieved in addressing deficiencies in management systems and administrative structures (549 units improvement), lack of environmental protection and regulatory mechanisms (477 units improvement), and insufficient attention to human resources and training (468 units improvement), findings consistent with those of Akbari et al. (2022). Moreover, prioritization results derived from the BWM model indicated that among all proposed interventions, the foremost priorities were the provision of public and institutional infrastructure, the enhancement of technological facilities, and the strengthening of environmental management together with governmental and private-sector support for tourism enterprises. This prioritization aligns with prior studies conducted by Hosseini Kohnouj et al. (2021) and Akbari Arbatan (2019). In conclusion, minimizing the damages experienced by tourism enterprises and enhancing their operational vitality require a three-stage strategic framework encompassing: (1) support for production and investment through government and private-sector measures ensuring profitable and secure capital returns in line with national programs for economic growth; (2) development of institutional and informational infrastructure through short- and long-term programs designed to expand regional capacity for tourism activities; and (3) balancing environmental capabilities and tourism activities by implementing sustainable environmental management to harmonize ecological conservation with the performance of tourism enterprises. Collectively, these strategies can establish a resilient foundation for sustainable tourism development in the Oramanat border region, ensuring long-term stability, improved employment mobility, and equitable economic prosperity.