@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
ABSTRACT
Aims & Backgrounds
Geotourism is a combination of land and tourism and is a tourism that have geological, morphological and cultural attractions. Optimal use of the attractions of the studied areas requires knowledge of different aspects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the geotourism potential and analyze the competitiveness of geotouristic areas of Sarein city (Bileh Daragh, Darband Vergehsaran and, Alvares).
Methodology This descriptive- analytical comparative study was conducted through field method in the geotouristic areas of Sarein city (Bileh Daragh, Darband Vergehsaran and, Alvares) in summer of 2019. 102 tourists and experts who had traveled to the geotourist study areas (23 tourists and 11 experts for each of the study areas) were selected by simple random sampling method and completed the research questionnaires. The Hadzic model was used to evaluate the geotourism potential and the Pavolova model was used to evaluate the competitiveness potential.
Findings The geotourism potential in Bileh Daragh and Darband Vergehsaran was equal to 39.22 and 24.44 respectively and in moderate level and in Alvarez was equal to 55.55 and in good level. Also Bileh Daragh with numerical value of 1.16 and Darband Vergehsaran with numerical value of 1.20 had satisfactory competitiveness and Alvarez with numerical value of 1.43 had good and suitable competitiveness.
Conclusion Alvarez tourist area in terms of geotourism potential and competitiveness compared to Bilesh Daragh and Darband Vergehsaran areas has good potentials to attract tourists to Sarein city.
Methodology This descriptive- analytical comparative study was conducted through field method in the geotouristic areas of Sarein city (Bileh Daragh, Darband Vergehsaran and, Alvares) in summer of 2019. 102 tourists and experts who had traveled to the geotourist study areas (23 tourists and 11 experts for each of the study areas) were selected by simple random sampling method and completed the research questionnaires. The Hadzic model was used to evaluate the geotourism potential and the Pavolova model was used to evaluate the competitiveness potential.
Findings The geotourism potential in Bileh Daragh and Darband Vergehsaran was equal to 39.22 and 24.44 respectively and in moderate level and in Alvarez was equal to 55.55 and in good level. Also Bileh Daragh with numerical value of 1.16 and Darband Vergehsaran with numerical value of 1.20 had satisfactory competitiveness and Alvarez with numerical value of 1.43 had good and suitable competitiveness.
Conclusion Alvarez tourist area in terms of geotourism potential and competitiveness compared to Bilesh Daragh and Darband Vergehsaran areas has good potentials to attract tourists to Sarein city.
CITATION LINKS
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[8]- Drebenstedt C, Rybár P, Domaracká L (2011). Mountain tourism in Germany shown on example in Saxony. Acta Geoturistica. 2(2):60-63.
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[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.