Explaining the effects of natural tourism foundations in the development of suburban destinations (Case: Venaei region of Borujerd County)

Introduction
In Iran, there are many regions whose beauty remains, and its effects are still unknown to domestic and foreign tourists and travelers. Lorestan province can be considered as one of such regions. Due to its natural, pristine, and untouched beauty, this province has remarkable capabilities in natural tourism. The natural scenery of Lorestan extends from the towering mountains of Ashtrankoh, Garin, and Sefidkoh to the green and water-filled plains and valleys, waterfalls, and beautiful inlets. Venai region is in Ashtarinan District and Borujerd County in Lorestan Province and is located 12 km northwest of Borujerd County in a mountainous area. Considering the tourism capacities of this region, the resulting income generation, the improvement of the quality of life of the residents, and the transformation from a village to a city in 2018, it is necessary to identify the effects of natural tourism foundations on the development of peri-urban tourism destinations. Making these capabilities more productive will provide the growth of the tourism industry in the peri-urban area of Borujerd. It will help sustainable development, including social, economic, cultural, entrepreneurship, employment, income generation, lack of migration, and service provision. However, despite the existence of many tourism capabilities in the Venai region, it seems that the lack of optimal efficiency of tourist attractions, the lack of facilities and infrastructure, and the lack of a modern program have reduced the efficiency of the region's capabilities and created a risk for the environment. This research answers the basic question of how natural tourism foundations can be effective in developing peri-urban tourism destinations. Furthermore, in other words, what are its direct and indirect effects on the development of peri-urban tourism destinations?
 
Methodology
This research is applied and analytical-descriptive. The statistical population of the research consisted of the following two main groups: the first group, 4649 residents of the Venai region, and the second group, tourists entering the county. Finally, after sampling, the sample size was determined to be 380 people. These people were the residents of Venai by simple random sampling and Cochran's formula method and 25 were tourists who were selected as the sample size by non-random sampling and easy access method. The indicators, variables, and research items were collected by questionnaire and using the Likert scale. Each of the items included values from one to five. SPSS26 software (correlation, step-by-step regression, and path analysis) was used for data analysis, and ArcGIS software was used for drawing maps.
 
Results and discussion
The findings showed that the state of natural tourism in Venice is relatively favorable for 73% of the respondents, 19% unfavorable, and 15% favorable. The low level of growth affected people's economic activities in the way that the lowest level of immigration and increased population growth can be seen in this region being preserved. In the study of the correlation between the variables and the development of peri-urban tourism destinations, the Pearson correlation coefficient values showed that between all the independent variables (social, economic, environmental, and managerial foundations), there is a positive and significant relationship with the development of peri-urban tourism destinations at the confidence level of 99%. In the regression analysis, the variable of the development rate of peri-urban tourism destinations as a dependent variable, and four influencing variables (with a very strong correlation) on the foundations of natural tourism (investment opportunities, spatial location, social participation, advertising, and marketing services and variable physical) were selected as independent variables and entered into the analysis in a step-by-step manner. The results of path analysis also showed that all four foundations of natural tourism had a direct relationship with the development of peri-urban tourism in the region at the level of P=0.00 (99% confidence). These four variables were used as essential variables related to the development of peri-urban tourism to draw a structural causal model, and the direct and indirect effects of each on the development of peri-urban tourism in the region were explained.
 
Conclusion
The findings showed that natural tourism has a relatively favorable situation. In 2018, this place has turned from a village to a city in the country's divisions. In other words, tourism in peri-urban areas has improved the residents' quality of life and urbanization. According to the results, there is a very strong correlation between the variables and the variable of the development of peri-urban tourism destinations. Therefore, the planning should consider all variables, such as the construction of structures suitable for the nature of the region, the allocation of capital for entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, investment in the accommodation and transportation sectors, investment related to tourism advertising and information services, strengthening the presence of private sector investors in companies active in the field of tourism, increasing public sector investment in attracting funds and credits for natural tourism in the region, participation of residents in the decision-making of tourism activities, holding tours to visit the natural and pristine resources of the region, reducing immigration.