MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MODEL-BASED DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SELECTING AREAS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to present a Decision Support System (DSS) that can be used for selecting areas for sustainable ecotourism development, taking into consideration the associated economic, environmental, and social factors that will be involved in the development. The computational algorithm of the DSS is based on the Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) model of this particular category of selection problems. The specific MCDA technique used in modeling is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The DSS is implemented in a spreadsheet and is developed around the AHP model and its solution algorithm to facilitate the analysis and solution process. The criteria built into the model were obtained from the literature and from interviews and observations. The DSS can only be used for this particular category of selection problems but has a built-in option to delete or add criteria. To test the usability and correctness of the system, a theoretical problem of similar dimension was solved using the system. The system should be a good decision-making aid for government tourism and environmental planners and policy makers.