The Role of Eco-Tourism Lodges in the Preservation and Revitalization of Local Cultures and Traditions (Case Study: Eco-Tourism Lodges in Khorasan Razavi Province)

Introduction
In recent years, ecolodges have emerged as a novel and responsible form of tourism that has attracted significant attention from local communities and development planners alike. These lodges play an important role in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage by offering opportunities to engage in the cultural, artistic, educational, and livelihood activities of indigenous communities. Nevertheless, several challenges persist, such as the risk of commodifying traditions, distorting cultural elements, and creating artificial versions of culture to appeal to tourists. These issues can undermine the cultural authenticity and identity of local communities. Given the increasing importance of this topic, the present study seeks to examine the role of ecolodges in preserving and revitalizing local cultures and traditions. Razavi Khorasan Province, with its rich historical, cultural, and religious background, possesses a high potential for the development of ecolodges. The existence of religious rituals and ceremonies, diverse handicrafts, traditional foods, indigenous music, and unique architecture provides an ideal foundation for showcasing local culture and fostering cultural interaction. Ecolodges in this province can offer tourists an authentic experience while simultaneously facilitating the transmission of indigenous knowledge, revitalization of cultural values, and strengthening of local identity. Accordingly, the sustainable and purposeful development of these accommodations can serve not only economic interests but also as an effective instrument for achieving cultural and social goals. Based on this perspective, the central research question is: How can ecolodges in Razavi Khorasan contribute to the preservation and revitalization of local culture and traditions?
 
Methodology
The present study aims to investigate the role of ecolodges in the preservation and revitalization of local culture and traditions in Razavi Khorasan Province. A descriptive-analytical methodology was adopted, utilizing both library and documentary research approaches. This applied research examines the role of ecolodges through expert-identified indicators. The research instrument was a questionnaire comprising 30 items measured on a Likert scale. Razavi Khorasan Province was selected as the study area due to its rich cultural heritage, ethnic diversity, and its prominent position in both religious and nature-based tourism. Currently, 163 ecolodges are active in the province, of which 23 first-grade ecolodges were selected as the sample units. Using Cochran's formula, a sample of 196 respondents was determined, including lodge managers, tourists, and rural elites. Data analysis was conducted using exploratory factor analysis and one-sample t-tests in SPSS software. For ranking the ecolodges, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models such as MEREC and MARCOS were employed. The MARCOS model, as a complex decision-making method, evaluates and prioritizes alternatives based on multiple criteria. Furthermore, the Jenks natural breaks method was used for data classification in GIS software.
 
Findings
The analysis of the demographic characteristics of the respondents revealed that the majority belonged to the age group of 36 to 43 years. Furthermore, the largest proportion of participants (47.4%) held a Master's degree or higher. In terms of marital status, a significant majority (71.9%) were married, and regarding gender distribution, males accounted for 55.1% of the sample, compared to 44.9% females. To analyze the role of ecolodges in the preservation and revitalization of local culture and traditions in Razavi Khorasan Province, factor analysis was employed. Through this analysis, 30 variables were reduced to four main components, which together explained 87.83% of the total variance. The first factor, "Preservation and Promotion of Local Culture and Arts, " accounted for the highest variance at 45.48%. The remaining factors included: "Community Participation and Social Impacts of Ecolodges, " "Local Economic and Cultural Development, " and "Preservation and Promotion of Cultural and Natural Heritage." Results from the one-sample t-test indicated that the first two factors—"Preservation and Promotion of Local Culture and Arts" and "Preservation and Promotion of Cultural and Natural Heritage"—had greater impact, with mean responses exceeding the neutral value of 3. In contrast, the other two factors—"Social Participation" and "Economic and Cultural Development"—demonstrated lower levels of influence. In the ranking of ecolodges using the MARCOS and MEREC multi-criteria decision-making models, the Arg-e Radkan and Kong-e Kohan ecolodges were identified as the most effective in preserving and revitalizing local culture and traditions. These ecolodges play a significant role in promoting local culture due to their use of traditional design approaches, provision of cultural services, and commitment to preserving natural resources.
 
Discussion and Conclusion
This study explores the role of ecolodges in the preservation and revitalization of local culture and traditions in Razavi Khorasan Province. The findings indicate that ecolodges play a significant role in promoting cultural identity and indigenous traditions, exerting influence across four key dimensions: the preservation and promotion of local culture and arts, social participation, local economic and cultural development, and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage. The most prominent impact is observed in the area of preserving and promoting local culture and arts—particularly through the revival of traditional crafts, music, and folk dances. Data analysis revealed that ecolodges are most effective in the domains of cultural and natural heritage preservation, while their impact is comparatively lower in the areas of social participation and economic-cultural development. The results of the MARCOS and MEREC decision-making models identified Arg-e Radkan and Kong-e Kohan as the most influential ecolodges in this regard. Moreover, ecolodges contribute to strengthening the local economy and generating employment, particularly in traditional handicrafts and agriculture. The study offers several recommendations, including government support for ecolodges, training of local communities in tourism management, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices. These measures can contribute both to the preservation of cultural heritage and to long-term economic sustainability.