@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 2538-4384 Geographical Researches 2020;35(3):193-203
ISSN: 2538-4384 Geographical Researches 2020;35(3):193-203
Geotourism Potential and Analysis of Competitiveness of Geotourist Areas of Sarein Region, Iran
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Original ResearchAuthors
Asghari Sarasekanrood S. (*1)Nezafat Takale B. (1)
(*1) Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran
Correspondence
Address: Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Daneshgah Street, Ardabil, Iran. Postal Code: 5619911367.Phone: +98 (45) 31575990
Fax: +98 (45) 31505536
sayyad.asghari21@gmail.com
Article History
Received: July 13, 2020Accepted: August 8, 2021
ePublished: October 1, 2020
BRIEF TEXT
Geotourism as an important activity at local, national, and international levels attracts tourists' attention to enjoy watching the geological, morphological, and cultural attractions.
The main aims of geotourism include improving the knowledge of earth science, increasing the awareness of geological heritage, and sustainable development of the tourism industry [Asghari Saraskanroud et al., 2015]. The evaluation of the geotourism capabilities can be used in planning for the improvements of different regions [Coratza & Giusti, 2005]. Kamyabi (2009) evaluated the importance of the natural and geotourism attractions in Halbeh Rood watershed and Kavir national park in Semnan province [Kamyabi, 2009]. Ghanbari et al. evaluated the geotourism capabilities in Kandovan village [Ghanbari et al., 2013].
This study aimed to assess geotourism potentials and analyze the competitiveness of geotourist areas of the Sarein region in Bilah Daraq, Vargehsaran, and Alvaresi.
This is a comparative descriptive-analytical study.
The current research was carried out in geotourism regions of Sarein (Bilah Daraq, Vargehsaran, and Alvaresi) in 2019. The research society includes the tourists and experts who had traveled to the studied area.
One hundred two samples were selected using the simple randomized sampling method.
This research uses two types of questionnaires for gathering data, topographic and geological maps to identify the area and GIS software as well.
a) The results of the Hadzic dynamic model are presented in Table 2. According to the experts' opinion, geotourism vulnerability in terms of the natural factors in Bilah Daraq has the highest score with 2.36. This region's vulnerability to river processes has the highest score, with 1.5, while human factors, commercial, and service providing have a score of 2.09. Most of the Darband Vargehsaran threats are natural factors. This region is the most vulnerable to slope movement, with an amount of 1.41. Human factors threaten the Alvaresi region that is accessible for humans. This region is the most vulnerable to transforming the natural landscapes into physical structures, with a score of 1.54. According to the model and comparison of the results with the standards, geotourism potential is between 20 and 60. Bilah Daraq, with a score of 39.22, and Vargehsaran with a score of 24.44, have a moderate geotourism potential, but the Alvaresi region with a score of 55.55 has a good geotourism potential. b) The results of geotourist sites' competitiveness Bilah Daraq region with equal positive and negative scores is in a desirable situation regarding the quality of competitiveness. Vargehsaran, with a score of 1.20, is in a desirable situation, while the Alvaresi region in good quality with a score of 1.43.
The current research result is consistent with Asghari Saraskanroud et al. (2014) since the current research shows that all three regions are similar in terms of the regional potential of geotourism. Moreover, Ranjbar's (2010) results are the same as the current research regarding the influential factors in geotourist sites. The results of Pavolova et al. (2012) are consistent with the results of the current study.
It is suggested to consider more variants and factors in future studies to evaluate the region's geotourism potentials.
There is no limitation reported.
Alvaresi tourist area has a considerable potential of tourist attraction in comparison to two other regions in Sarein.
We tend to thank the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili.
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TABLES and CHARTS
Show attach fileCITIATION LINKS
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[2]Asghari Saraskanroud S, Esfandiari F, Mohammadnejad V, Zeinali B, Asghari Saraskanroud S (2014). Assessing the geotourism capability of Zahak area of Hashtrood city. Geography and Urban-Regional Planning. 4(13):69-82. [Persian]
[3]- Afifi ME, Ghanbari A (2009). Investigation of geotouristic attractions of Larestan Salt Dome. Journal of Natural Geography. 2(6):31-47. [Persian]
[4]- Badri SA, Ghanbari JS (2005). Assessment of environmental capabilities in rural development (case study: Ajabshir Qala-e-Chay River Basin). Geographical Research. 37(54):173-185. [Persian]
[5]- Balan D, Balaure V, Veghes C (2009). Travel and tourism competitiveness of the world’s top tourism destination: an exploratory assessment. Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica. 2(11):1-43.
[6]- Coratza P, Giusti C (2005). Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. IL Quaternary. 18(1):307-313.
[7]- Comanescu LA, Nedelea R, Dobre V (2012). The evaluation of geomorphosite from the Ponoare protected area. Forum Geografic. 11(1):54-61.
[8]- Drebenstedt C, Rybár P, Domaracká L (2011). Mountain tourism in Germany shown on example in Saxony. Acta Geoturistica. 2(2):60-63.
[9]- Ghanbari A, Hejazi M, Ghanbari M (2013). The evaluating of geo-tourism capabilities of existing geosites in the Kandovan village. Journal of Housing and Rural Environment. 32(141):109-119. [Persian]
[10]- Hadžić O, Marković SB, Vasiljević A, Nedeljković M (2010). A dynamical model for assessing tourism market attractiveness of a geosite. In; Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Geoheritage & Geotourism; June 24-26; Novi Sad, Serbia. Novi Sad: GEOTRENDS; 2010. p. 23-25.
[11]- Kamyabi S (2009). Evaluation of the role of natural and geotouristic attractions of Hablehroud Basin and Kavir National Park of Semnan Province. In: Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Geology and Environment; 11 Mar; Islamic Azad University Islamshahr Branch, Islamshahr, Tehran. [Persian]
[12]- Kazemi M (2007). Tourism management. 1st Edition. Tehran: SAMT Publications. [Persian]
[13]Lotfi S, Babakhanzadeh E (2014). Investigating the impacts of commercial tourism on city (case study: Javanrood, Kermanshah). Journal of Tourism Planning and Development. 3(9):130-150. [Persian]
[14]- National Geographic (2010). Centre for sustainable destinations the geotourism charter [Internet]. Washington D.C.: National Geographic [cited 2017 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/geotourism/about/
[15]- Nemanj T (2011). The potential of Lazar Canyon (Serbia) as a geotourism destination: inventory and evaluation. Geographical Pannonica. 15(3):103-112.
[16]- Pavolová H, Bakalar T, Štrba L (2014). Model for the assessment of competitiveness of geotourist destinations in Slovakia. Acta Geoturistica. 5(2):31-36.
[17]- Pavolová H, Domaracký D, Hvizdák L (2011). Application of destination management in the development area of tourist trade in the Slovak Republic. Acta Geoturistica. 2(2):49-54.
[18]- Pavolová H, Kyseľová K, Bakalár T (2012). Brownfields as a tool for support of destination tourism development. Acta Geoturistica. 3(1):26-30.
[19]- Panizza M (2001). Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and example of geomorphological survey. Chinese Science Bulletin. 46:4-6.
[20]- Ranjbar M (2010). Potential of geotourism narrow Zyngan in Salehabad of Mehran Township. Journal of Studies of Human Settlements Planning. 4(9):81-100. [Persian]
[21]- Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007). A method for assessing the scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geographical Helvetica. 62(3):148-158.
[22]- Shirkhodaei M, Nejat S, Esfidani MR, Shahi M (2016). Investigating the effect of brand prominence on brand loyalty for tourism destination. Quarterly Journal of Tourism Management Studies. 10(32):111-129. [Persian]
[23]- Tavalayi S (2007). A review of Tehran tourism industry. 1st Edition. Tehran: Tarbiat Moallem University Press. [Persian]
[24]- Yamani M, Azimi Rad S, Bagheri Seyed Shokri S (2012). Investigation of geotourism capabilities and geomorphosites of Seymareh region using Peralong method. Geography and Environmental Stability. 2(2):69-88. [Persian]
[25]- Zouros NC (2007). Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece (Case study of the Lesvos Island-coastal geomorphosites). Geographical Helvetica. 62(3):169-180.
[2]Asghari Saraskanroud S, Esfandiari F, Mohammadnejad V, Zeinali B, Asghari Saraskanroud S (2014). Assessing the geotourism capability of Zahak area of Hashtrood city. Geography and Urban-Regional Planning. 4(13):69-82. [Persian]
[3]- Afifi ME, Ghanbari A (2009). Investigation of geotouristic attractions of Larestan Salt Dome. Journal of Natural Geography. 2(6):31-47. [Persian]
[4]- Badri SA, Ghanbari JS (2005). Assessment of environmental capabilities in rural development (case study: Ajabshir Qala-e-Chay River Basin). Geographical Research. 37(54):173-185. [Persian]
[5]- Balan D, Balaure V, Veghes C (2009). Travel and tourism competitiveness of the world’s top tourism destination: an exploratory assessment. Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica. 2(11):1-43.
[6]- Coratza P, Giusti C (2005). Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. IL Quaternary. 18(1):307-313.
[7]- Comanescu LA, Nedelea R, Dobre V (2012). The evaluation of geomorphosite from the Ponoare protected area. Forum Geografic. 11(1):54-61.
[8]- Drebenstedt C, Rybár P, Domaracká L (2011). Mountain tourism in Germany shown on example in Saxony. Acta Geoturistica. 2(2):60-63.
[9]- Ghanbari A, Hejazi M, Ghanbari M (2013). The evaluating of geo-tourism capabilities of existing geosites in the Kandovan village. Journal of Housing and Rural Environment. 32(141):109-119. [Persian]
[10]- Hadžić O, Marković SB, Vasiljević A, Nedeljković M (2010). A dynamical model for assessing tourism market attractiveness of a geosite. In; Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Geoheritage & Geotourism; June 24-26; Novi Sad, Serbia. Novi Sad: GEOTRENDS; 2010. p. 23-25.
[11]- Kamyabi S (2009). Evaluation of the role of natural and geotouristic attractions of Hablehroud Basin and Kavir National Park of Semnan Province. In: Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Geology and Environment; 11 Mar; Islamic Azad University Islamshahr Branch, Islamshahr, Tehran. [Persian]
[12]- Kazemi M (2007). Tourism management. 1st Edition. Tehran: SAMT Publications. [Persian]
[13]Lotfi S, Babakhanzadeh E (2014). Investigating the impacts of commercial tourism on city (case study: Javanrood, Kermanshah). Journal of Tourism Planning and Development. 3(9):130-150. [Persian]
[14]- National Geographic (2010). Centre for sustainable destinations the geotourism charter [Internet]. Washington D.C.: National Geographic [cited 2017 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/geotourism/about/
[15]- Nemanj T (2011). The potential of Lazar Canyon (Serbia) as a geotourism destination: inventory and evaluation. Geographical Pannonica. 15(3):103-112.
[16]- Pavolová H, Bakalar T, Štrba L (2014). Model for the assessment of competitiveness of geotourist destinations in Slovakia. Acta Geoturistica. 5(2):31-36.
[17]- Pavolová H, Domaracký D, Hvizdák L (2011). Application of destination management in the development area of tourist trade in the Slovak Republic. Acta Geoturistica. 2(2):49-54.
[18]- Pavolová H, Kyseľová K, Bakalár T (2012). Brownfields as a tool for support of destination tourism development. Acta Geoturistica. 3(1):26-30.
[19]- Panizza M (2001). Geomorphosites: concepts, methods and example of geomorphological survey. Chinese Science Bulletin. 46:4-6.
[20]- Ranjbar M (2010). Potential of geotourism narrow Zyngan in Salehabad of Mehran Township. Journal of Studies of Human Settlements Planning. 4(9):81-100. [Persian]
[21]- Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007). A method for assessing the scientific and additional values of geomorphosites. Geographical Helvetica. 62(3):148-158.
[22]- Shirkhodaei M, Nejat S, Esfidani MR, Shahi M (2016). Investigating the effect of brand prominence on brand loyalty for tourism destination. Quarterly Journal of Tourism Management Studies. 10(32):111-129. [Persian]
[23]- Tavalayi S (2007). A review of Tehran tourism industry. 1st Edition. Tehran: Tarbiat Moallem University Press. [Persian]
[24]- Yamani M, Azimi Rad S, Bagheri Seyed Shokri S (2012). Investigation of geotourism capabilities and geomorphosites of Seymareh region using Peralong method. Geography and Environmental Stability. 2(2):69-88. [Persian]
[25]- Zouros NC (2007). Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece (Case study of the Lesvos Island-coastal geomorphosites). Geographical Helvetica. 62(3):169-180.