Conflict Management Model in Rural Tourism Destinations Based on Game Theory Approachا (Case Study: Rural Tourism Destinations of Torghabeh Shandiz County)

Objective: The presence of multiple actors with differing interests and perceptions in rural tourism supply has led to numerous conflicts, posing a serious obstacle to community-based tourism development. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze strategies and conflict management patterns among rural tourism stakeholders to identify equilibrium states and propose an optimal model.

Methods: This study utilized game theory (collaborative approach and non-quantitative method, graph model). The study population included 19 rural tourism destination villages in Torghabeh Shandiz County. Data were collected through interviews with 81 stakeholder representatives (including local residents, business owners, tourists, village managers, and relevant organizations) and strategy prioritization by 17 experts. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and the conflict resolution model framework employing GMCR+ software.

Results: The results showed that among 12 feasible states, there are 2 stable equilibrium states and 5 semi-stable equilibrium states in managing conflicts among stakeholders of rural tourism destinations. State 12, which includes strategies such as: participation and support of the local community in tourism development, development of indigenous, participatory, and legal tourism businesses by tourism business owners, tourists’ respect for local laws and values, mutual cooperation of rural managers with other stakeholders towards sustainable tourism development, support from relevant organizations for the development of natural and indigenous tourism, and improvement of current structures and regulations, was identified as the most stable equilibrium state and provides the greatest benefit to all actors. This state, within the framework of the fivefold conflict management model, tends toward cooperation and compromise.

Conclusions: Achieving a stable equilibrium state (State 12) and consequently sustainable and community-based rural tourism development require structural reforms, trust-building, cooperation, and comprehensive participation of all actors involved in the conflict.