Geo-spatial assessment of ecotourism suitability using GIS-based AHP and its socio-economic and environmental impacts in Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract Ecotourism is increasingly recognized as a sustainable development strategy for environmentally sensitive mountain regions. However, its effectiveness depends on spatially informed planning and community acceptance. This study presents an integrated geo-spatial and socio-economic framework to assess ecotourism suitability and associated impacts in Chitral District, a high-mountain region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A Geographic Information System (GIS) coupled with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to delineate ecotourism suitability zones using environmental, topographic, climatic, ecological, cultural, and infrastructural criteria. Multiple thematic layers were created in ArcMap 10.8, weighted through expert judgment, and integrated using a weighted linear combination approach. The resulting ecotourism suitability index classified the study area into five categories: very high, high, moderate, low, and unsuitable. The spatial analysis indicates that approximately 39.4% of Chitral District falls within high to very high suitability classes, primarily concentrated in accessible valley floors characterized by favorable terrain, biodiversity, and cultural attractions. In contrast, about 25.6% of the area is unsuitable due to extreme topography, harsh climatic conditions, and ecological sensitivity. To complement the spatial assessment, a socio-economic and environmental impact analysis was conducted using primary survey data from local communities and tourists. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified key dimensions of ecotourism impacts, highlighting positive effects on employment generation, household income, cultural awareness, and support for allied sectors, alongside challenges related to seasonality of employment, environmental pressure, rising prices, and social tensions. By integrating spatial suitability modeling with stakeholder perceptions, this study provides a comprehensive decision-support framework for sustainable ecotourism planning in ecologically fragile mountain regions of Pakistan.