Agro-Ecotourism as a Model for Rural Development in the Mountains Region: Amedy Region as Case Study

Objective: This study aims to examine the determinants and indicators of Amedy's region competitiveness to identify the optimal model for rural development via tourism. Theoretical Framework: Rural tourism has emerged as a controversial topic within rural development. The combination of the decline of agriculture, the rise of tourism, and the need for economic diversification necessitates the creation of a new rural development model that ensures both economic diversification and environmental conservation. Method: Qualitative data was acquired from a local perspective through semi-structured interviews based on saturation theory. Thematic analysis was performed on interview transcriptions from 81 rural inhabitants to identify key themes Results and Discussion: The results confirmed that Agro-ecotourism is the best model of rural tourism devlopmnet in mountain region. The growth in local agricultural sales and increased tourist numbers are markers of economic prosperity. The region's agricultural goods and natural resources are key factors influencing rural competitiveness; nevertheless, climate change, conflicts over water and land, and poor governance have negatively affected their management. The interplay between security and accessibility obstructs rural tourism development. The study revealed direct and indirect relationships between the variables, suggesting that inadequacies in one area impact the others. Research Implications: Rural areas with similar environmental, economic, and cultural challenges can utilize the findings as an integrative model for preserving agricultural identity and natural resources. Originality/Value: The model is novel and has not been previously observed in Iraq and Kurdistan.