Sustainable development of tourism
Fariba Karami; Davoud Mokhtari; Kimia Dadgar; Ahmad Asadi
Abstract
The present research has been written to assess the capabilities and zoning of the geo-tourism capabilities of Tarom. The research method in the current research is mixed (quantitative-qualitative) with a practical purpose and analytical-exploratory nature; in order to analyze the information, Comanescu’s ...
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The present research has been written to assess the capabilities and zoning of the geo-tourism capabilities of Tarom. The research method in the current research is mixed (quantitative-qualitative) with a practical purpose and analytical-exploratory nature; in order to analyze the information, Comanescu’s capability measurement method, Fuzzy Network Analysis Model (ANP-FUZZY), and also GIS software. The research results showed that the geo-sites of Tarom County have high geo-tourism values. Meanwhile, the geo-site of the Valider Sheit River has the highest value, the geo-site of the Ghezel Ozan River ranks second, and the Nokian River ranks third. Also, the investigation of the geo-tourism criteria of Tarom shows that 46.49% of the studied area is suitable for the development of geo-tourism. On the other hand, the geo-sites with high value in the Comanescu Model are consistent with the potential geo-tourism zones resulting from zoning in the county and have an acceptable level.IntroductionGeo-tourism is a sustainable method of tourism that promotes environmental and cultural understanding and conservation of landscapes through the experience of various geological and geomorphological features of this geosphere, and its development can strengthen economic viability, community improvement, and geographic protection of landscape features. In general, geo-tourism can be created in a natural landscape where people are free to enjoy the spectacular views of the geosphere. Also, the attraction point of each landscape for the initial scope of geo-tourism depends on four types of tourism values: scientific, aesthetic, cultural, and economic. In the meantime, geo-morpho-sites are intrinsic and essential geological and geomorphological features of the earth's surface, which have significant scientific, aesthetic, and economic importance and have been discovered by human society. Also, different landscapes of the geosphere have witnessed the development of geo-tourism based on geo-morpho-sites. In a holistic approach toward the development of sustainable tourism, geo-morpho-sites are an essential basis for the development of geo-tourism.On the other hand, geo-tourism plays a significant role in the protection of geo-morpho-sites. In the meantime, from the geo-cultural point of view, geo-tourism is considered a new way to develop less developed societies due to its economic efficiency. Therefore, in the approach of sustainable development of tourism, geo-tourism plays an essential role, and the development of geo-tourism on geo-morpho-sites can be done in the best way after evaluating geo-morpho-sites in a tourist environment. Considering the importance of geo-tourism as one of the essential species in achieving sustainable tourism, the purpose of this research is to evaluate and zoning the geo-tourism capabilities of Tarom County.Research Question(s)At what level are the geo-morpho-sites of Tarom County in terms of management and use, economic, cultural, aesthetic, and scientific values?In terms of the desirability of geo-tourist capacity criteria, what is the state of Tarom County? Literature ReviewThe concept and approach of geo-tourism developed in the late 1980s after the recognition of geologists' schools, universities, and museums in the UK (Hose, 1995; Hose et al., 2011). The term "geo-tourism" was first coined in 1995 by Thomas A. Hughes, a professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol in England (Antic & Tomic, 2017; Grover & Mahanta, 2018). According to Thomas A. Hose (2005), geo-tourism is: "Ensuring the value and social preservation of geological and geomorphological sites and their resources and providing interpretive facilities and services for the use of students, tourists, and other casual recreationists." This definition clearly shows that the main focus of geo-tourism is interpretation, promotion, and conservation, which are all essential elements for the development of geo-tourism. Newsome and Dowling (2010) have stated that geo-tourism is an arrangement of tourism in natural areas that focuses specifically on landscape and geology and their interpretation, promotion, and protection with the help of education (Jonic, 2018).MethodologyThe research method in the current research is mixed (quantitative-qualitative), with a practical purpose and analytical-exploratory nature. In this regard, first, the geo-sites of Tarom County were identified using interviews and field observations. In the second stage, the values of geo-sites were evaluated using the Comanescu capability measurement method. Finally, the geo-tourism capabilities of this county were evaluated using the Fuzzy Network Analysis Model (FUZZY-ANP) and questioning managers and officials, as well as benefiting from They were zoned based on criteria such as height, slope, land use, distance from communication road, distance from county or village, distance from geo-site, distance from river, distance from cultural sites. The statistical population of the research included the managers and officials of Tarom County, and 15 people were determined as the sample size by using a non-random sampling method.ResultsThe research results showed that the geo-sites of Tarom County have high geo-tourism values. Meanwhile, the geo-site of the Valider-Shit River has the highest value, the geo-site of the Ghezel Ozan River ranks second, and the Nowkian River ranks third. Also, the investigation of the geo-tourism criteria of Tarom shows that 46.49% of the studied area is suitable for the development of geo-tourism. On the other hand, the geo-sites with high value in the Comanescu model are consistent with the potential geo-tourism zones resulting from zoning in Tarom County and have an acceptable level. In general, the results of this research can be used as a document in planning and environmental management for the sustainable development of tourism in the studied area by officials and planners.
Ali Akbar Shayan Yeganeh; Mohamad Ali Zangane Asadi; Abolghasem Amir Ahmadi
Abstract
As a new discipline, geotourism is a part of the nature-based tourism that relies on natural resources and geology. Geosites and geomorphosites are considered as infrastructure of geodiversity by the geomorphological and geological tourists. Geotourism has formed recently and elapsed its ...
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As a new discipline, geotourism is a part of the nature-based tourism that relies on natural resources and geology. Geosites and geomorphosites are considered as infrastructure of geodiversity by the geomorphological and geological tourists. Geotourism has formed recently and elapsed its early stages ofdevelopment. Iran is a country with a wide range of phenomena. Hence, to find the potentials for regional geotourism or capability of the geoparks, many researchers have been sought to assess the areas (of) geosites and geomorphosites in Iran, and in the world as well. The purpose of this study is to review some assessment methods of geosites and geomorphosites by 2015 and to extract their strengths and weaknesses in order to express a comprehensive method for assessing geomorphotourism areas. Analytical documents andadaptive methods are used in this research. Results of the study show that the Comanescu method is the perfect way to assess geomorphosites now. Moreover, the evaluation has been weak geomorphosites service role. Pralong, Lucie Kubalíková, Brilha and Charalampos Fassoulas methods are important in the next stage. However, in parts of the evaluation, they do not show all the potentials of a geomorphosite. Most of the methods in Iran are not in a comprehensive way to assess geomorphosites. Consequently, the present articlehas tried to propose a new method in order to maintain the strengths of the methods and reduce their weaknesses.
Mehran maghsoudi; Mohsen Barzkar; Mosa Abbasi; Anvar Moradi Moradi
Volume 9, Issue 25 , April 2014, , Pages 88-114
Abstract
Geomorphotourism is a branch of geosciences and tourism studies, which studies the geomorphosites or geomorphological special locations. In this research geotourism potentials of geomorphosites in Mahabad county were analyzed based on new techniques such as Comanescu method and field studies. ...
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Geomorphotourism is a branch of geosciences and tourism studies, which studies the geomorphosites or geomorphological special locations. In this research geotourism potentials of geomorphosites in Mahabad county were analyzed based on new techniques such as Comanescu method and field studies. Values resulted from each method were compared with each other, and the scientific, cultural, economic, management, and beauty values of the sites were analyzed by Comanescu method. Geotouristic valuation of each Geomorphosite is of paramount importance in tourism planning and investment respecting the geomorphotouristic potentials of the area. Among the examined landforms, Saholan water cave was found to have the highest score of 75.
Haydeh Ara; Shole Shahverdi Ghahfarokhi; Pouriya Kharazi; Mohammad Kia Kianian
Volume 9, Issue 25 , April 2014, , Pages 142-158
Abstract
Dissolution landforms as geomorphosites with high tourism potentials can play a boosting role in tourism industry of a country. This paper aims to evaluate the geo-tourism potentials of three caves in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province, namely Sarab, Seyed-Isa and Chehel-Peleh which were selected out of ...
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Dissolution landforms as geomorphosites with high tourism potentials can play a boosting role in tourism industry of a country. This paper aims to evaluate the geo-tourism potentials of three caves in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province, namely Sarab, Seyed-Isa and Chehel-Peleh which were selected out of 60 landforms identified across the province. The paper made use of Prolong and Prolong Modified Models. With regard to research tools, this study mainly employed topographic and geological maps, field examination data and questionnaires. Findings revealed a difference in the tourism values resulted from the two models. Based on Prolong Model, Sarab Cave indicated the highest tourism value of 15.75, with Chehel-Peleh and Seyed-Isa in the second and third place respectively. However, according to Prolong Modified Model, Sarab and Seyed-Isa were the t
mehran maghsudi; mohammad alizadeh; saeed rahimi har abadi; mojtaba hadai arani
Volume 7, Issue 19 , November 2012, , Pages 49-68
Abstract
Geomorphosites and geomorphological landscape concepts have newly entered the realm of tourism and geography emphasizing the spotting of specific and valuable locations for tourism. These geomorphosites by combining cultural, historical and ecological heritage offer great potentials for development of ...
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Geomorphosites and geomorphological landscape concepts have newly entered the realm of tourism and geography emphasizing the spotting of specific and valuable locations for tourism. These geomorphosites by combining cultural, historical and ecological heritage offer great potentials for development of sustainable tourism. Kavir National Park is one of places that embody many diverse ranges of geomorphosites. In this article we attempt to assess the Geomorphotourism potentials of geomorphosites in Kavir National park, by using Pereira method and field works. Employing two criteria of scientific and complementary values, we identify the geomorphology value of the site from the tourism perspective. Also the management criterion is obtained via adding the conservation and usage values. Final value of geomorphosites is achieved through the sum of two main values mentioned above. Findings are of great significance for tourism planning and investment in tourism development. It is demonstrated that among different landforms in Kavir national park, sand dunes with the score of 14.38 own the highest value. At the end, we propose that every planning and development in tourism in this area be done with a good consideration of sustainability issues.
