Empowering Sustainable Ecotourism through Blockchain: A Scalable Eco-Credit Model for Protected Areas. Case of Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon

Ecotourism presents a valuable pathway toward sustainable development, yet in Lebanon, it faces complex structural and contextual barriers. This study aims to explore the challenges hindering effective ecotourism in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and to propose innovative solutions to foster sustainability. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, including governmental bodies, reserve management, municipalities, NGOs, and private sector representatives. Thematic analysis revealed political instability, economic fragility, donor dependency, cultural ambivalence, and trust-related challenges as central factors influencing ecotourism-related practices. Addressing these challenges, the study introduces a blockchain-based eco-credit system designed to incentivize verified sustainable practices by assigning eco-credits based on quantifiable environmental and social performance metrics.