Evaluation of sustainable development indicators of nature-based tourism in developed and developing countries.

Understanding the approach of developed countries to the sustainable development of nature-based tourism (NBT) can be a model for developing countries. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the differences of opinion from different aspects. This study aimed to highlight the differences between the attitudes of experts in developing and developed countries on sustainable development indicators of NBT.‏ ‏Given that no such comparison has been made so far, this study intends to address this gap. Indicators were identified from three aspects: economic, social, and environmental, and they were approved through the use of the Delphi approach. The mean scores were determined based on a 7-point Likert scale and compared using an independent t-test. In developing countries, economic indicators (Mean = 5.779) and in developed countries, environmental indicators (Mean = 6.296) were the most crucial. Paying more attention to environmental indicators in developing countries can be an excellent way to improve the sustainable development of NBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]