1. Andziak, A. (2024).
Virtual reality for responsible tourism: A case study of Jordan’s coral reef.
This paper explores VR as a tool to reduce physical tourist pressure on fragile ecosystems. I use it to show how alternative experiences can redirect demand away from sensitive areas like Mazandaran’s forests and coasts.
2. De Wei, L. (2022).
Bhutan reopens to tourists willing to pay $200-a-day visitor tax.
A news article explaining Bhutan’s high-fee visitor model. I use it as an example of tools (pricing, taxes) used globally to regulate tourist numbers.
3. Bisht, A. (2025).
Sustainable tourism management in the era of overtourism: A systematic review…
A review of global strategies for managing overtourism. I use this to identify broad management themes such as governance, monitoring, carrying capacity and visitor dispersal.
4. Loftsdóttir, K., & Mixa, M. W. (2025).
Understanding the appeal of mass tourism in the age of overtourism.
This article explains why mass tourism remains attractive despite sustainability concerns. I use it to contextualize high domestic demand in Mazandaran.
5. McCartney, G. (2020).
Taxing tourists to manage mass tourism: A case study of Macao.
Explores tourist taxation as a demand-management tool. I use it to discuss potential economic policy options for Mazandaran.
6. Rajchlová, J., Večeřová, V., & Novák, P. (2025).
Excessive tourism in rural areas and possible solutions…
A rural overtourism case study from the Czech Republic. Useful for comparing rural land-use pressures, second homes, and governance challenges with Mazandaran.
7. Jamieson, W., & Jamieson, M. (2019).
Managing overtourism at the municipal/destination level.
Chapter from Dodds & Butler’s book outlining practical destination-management tools. I use it as a framework for understanding what local governments can realistically implement.
8. Solymannejad, R., Alibaygi, A., & Salehi, L. (2022).
Barriers and facilitators of agri-tourism sustainable development in West Mazandaran.
Finds that barriers to sustainable agritourism outweigh facilitators, highlighting governance weaknesses, land-use pressures, and low local capacity. Supports analysis of institutional gaps in Mazandaran.
9. Chenari, H. M., et al. (2024).
Assessing the environmental capacity of the Southern Caspian Sea for agritourism development.
Applies environmental capacity concepts to coastal regions of Mazandaran. I use it as a theoretical anchor for carrying capacity and ecological limits.
10. Arrow, K., et al. (1995).
Economic growth, carrying capacity, and the environment.
A foundational text on carrying capacity. Supports the project’s theoretical framework connecting growth, limits, and sustainability.
11. Iran Chamber Society. (n.d.).
Mazandaran Province overview.
Provides basic geographic, cultural, linguistic and historical background. I use it to give readers context about the region.
12. Shabahang Parvaz Travel Agency. (n.d.).
Mazandaran Province tourism profile.
Highlights tourism attractions, economic activities, and cultural features. Supports the descriptive introduction to Mazandaran’s tourism landscape.
13. Safarrad, T., et al. (2021).
Tourism effect on land surface temperature in Babolsar and Fereydonkenar.
Shows how tourism-driven development increased built-up areas by over 700% in tourism zones. Strong evidence of land-use change and overtourism pressures.
14. Nouri, J., et al. (2017).
Site selection for coastal tourism using GIS (Mazandaran).
Uses GIS, IO, and AHP to identify suitable tourism sites. Supports discussion on planning, zoning, and the need for structured decision systems.
15. Tehran Times. (2024).
Mazandaran sets new tourist record.
Reports extreme peaks of 3.1 million overnight stays in ten days. I use it as direct evidence of domestic overtourism and capacity overload.
16. University of Luxembourg. (2024).
The dark side of tourism: Negative impacts and mitigation strategies.
Discusses deforestation, land conversion, and cultural erosion in Mazandaran. I use it to highlight environmental and socio-cultural costs.
17. Loverio, J. P., Chen, L.-H., & Shen, C.-C. (2023).
Stakeholder collaboration as a solution to overtourism (Sagada case).
Demonstrates how community cooperation and monitoring reduce overtourism pressures. Provides a transferable model for Mazandaran.