Examining the Environmental Impact of Backpackers in Caspian Sea Region of Iran

Tourism plays an urgent part in economic progress, and the social welfare of nations. Among various types of traveling, one form of travel that traveler carries only a backpack has become a universal aspect made up of people from different nationalities and a worldwide community including low, modern travelers. Backpackers are mostly both influenced and influential by each other and the places they visit. It is still emerging as an institutionalized and well-known form of travel. The backpackers in less developed countries affect economic, environmental, and sociocultural aspects. However, backpacker investigation on travel and tourism of Iran have not been well conducted in the literature. At first, the tourism structure and case study (Caspian Sea region) was discussed. Then, advantages and concerns of environmental impacts from tourists, especially backpackers have been identified. To reach these goals, this study aims to discover the process through impacts of backpackers, especially environmental impacts, in the Caspian Sea region, Iran. Accordingly, behavior amongst backpacker tourists in north coastal region of Iran are explored. The research found that, according to managers and experts, backpacking has not significantly affected the damage to natural sources, vegetation, water pollution, wildlife, and illegal fishing. The result also has been reported to not significantly affected the positive environmental impacts. Also, backpacking positive and negative significance effect in economics and socio-culture has been studied in this dissertation. At the end, weakness of the area in backpack tourism and suggestions had been discussed. Keywords: Backpackers, Environmental impacts, Caspian Sea region.