Ecotourism, as a key component of sustainable tourism development, plays a significant role in enhancing livelihoods and economically empowering local communities; however, employment quality in this sector is often overlooked. This study aimed to identify and analyze the dimensions and components of ecotourism business development based on the decent work approach. The research employed a qualitative design using thematic analysis. The study population consisted of experts and managers of ecotourism businesses in Iran, and purposive sampling was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to extract and categorize the main themes. The findings indicated that the key dimensions of ecotourism business development based on decent work approach include productive employment, fundamental labor rights, social protection, social dialogue, gender equality and equal opportunities, and occupational health and safety, which collectively enhance employment quality, workforce motivation, and active community participation. The results also emphasized the necessity of strengthening legal and social support, empowering employees, institutionalizing transparency and dialogue, and adhering to principles of justice and occupational safety to establish a solid foundation for sustainable and equitable ecotourism development. Accordingly, integrating the decent work approach into ecotourism business management can simultaneously improve the economic and social well-being of local communities and provide a practical pathway for responsible tourism development.