Geotourism and geomorphological analysis and evaluation of Sarein township based on M GAM model

Esfandyari Darabad, Fariba; Nezafat Taklhe, Behrouz

Geotourism and geomorphological analysis and evaluation of Sarein township based on M GAM model

Document Type : Extract article from research project

Authors

Fariba Esfandyari Darabad ¹

Behrouz Nezafat Taklhe ²

¹ Professor of Geomorphology, Department of Natural Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

² Phd student of geomorphology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: The aim of the present study is to analyze and evaluate the geotourism and geomorphological capabilities of Sarein County using the M GAM model. Sarein County is located in the northwest of Iran and in the geographical area of 47 degrees and 48 minutes to 48 degrees and 11 minutes east longitude and 38 degrees and 3 minutes to 38 degrees and 15 minutes north latitude.
Methodology: The present research is of an applied type and its research method is a descriptive survey conducted using a questionnaire. In this study, eight geosites in Sarein County (Verghesaran Suspension Bridge, Viladreh, Alvares Ski Resort, Goldasht Kalkhoran, Gharkenzagh, Ali Darvish Valley, Saridareh Valley, and Imamzadeh Atashgah) were evaluated by providing 20 questionnaires to tourists present in the study areas and also providing 20 written questionnaires to experts and specialists in these geosites and collecting their data. In this study, first some geomorphological landforms were identified and their boundaries were determined using library studies, aerial photographs, satellite images, field surveys and interviews. Then, using the M-GAM model, the tourism potentials of the landforms were examined.
Results and findings: The results of the M-GAM model evaluation showed that, based on the evaluation of experts and visitors to the geotourism area, the Verghesaran Suspension Bridge has the highest core value. In terms of complementary values, the highest score was for the Atashgah Shrine with a score of 91.11, and in total scores, the highest score was for the Atashgah Shrine and the lowest total score was for Villadreh. Also, the M-GAM matrix using the main and complementary values obtained from the analysis shows that the geosites of Goldasht Kalkhoran, Imamzadeh Atashgah, Darreh Saridareh, and Verge Saran Suspension Bridge are located in the Z23 field in terms of main values, and in terms of complementary values, they have a high level of potential for geotourism. The Ali Darvish Valley, Ghar Kanzagh, and Alvares Track geosites also have a medium value for geotourism in terms of primary and complementary value (primary and complementary value Z22), and finally, Viladreh is at a medium level in terms of primary value and at a low level in terms of complementary value for geotourism development.Therefore, it is concluded that there is a lot of room for improving geotourism in these places, and by investing in improving the infrastructure of these geosites and improving planning and promotional activities, these areas can attract many tourists and travelers, which will create jobs and increase the income of local people. Finally, it is suggested that the geotourism and geomorphological potential of Sarein County be analyzed and evaluated based on artificial intelligence and geotourism occurrence models.

Keywords

Geotourism

geomorphological

Sarein

M-GAM model

Sarein township

Subjects

Physical geogeaphy

Adolfo Quesada, R. Lidia Torres, B. Maynor, A. Manuel Rodríguez, M. Gema Velázquez, E. Catalina Espinosa, V. Jaime, T. Hugo Rodríguez, B. 2021. Geodiversity, Geoconservation, And Geotourism In Central America. 11(1), 48; Pp 1- 16.

Akbari, M., Bustan Ahmadi, V., Ansari, M., Sohrabi, V., (2022), Measuring the position of Islamic countries in terms of global competitiveness indicators of travel and tourism using the MABAC technique, Quarterly Journal of Regional Planning, Volume 12, Issue 45, pp. 1-18. https://jzpm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_4302.html[In Persian].

Aydin, G. and Karamehmet, B. (2017), Factors affecting health tourism and international health-care facility choice, International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, Vol.11 No. 1, pp.16-36.

Büyüközkan, G, Mukul, E, Kongar, E. (2020), Health tourism strategy selection via SWOT analysis and integrated hesitant fuzzy linguistic AHP-MABAC approach, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 107-120.

Carrion ,M ., Mero , P., Salamea ,I., Carballo ,F., Aguilar, M., Ruiz , K. and Berrezueta , E.(2021). A Mineralogical Muesum as a Geotourism Attraction: A Case Study , Minerals

Chen, Anze, Lu, Yunting, C. Y. Ng Young. 2014. The Principle of Geotourism Science. Springer.

Dawling, Ross., Newsome, David. 2018. Handbook of geotourism. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Dezilia,D, Harnani,H (2023).Geotourism Assessment Using The M- Gam Method (Modified Deosite Assessment Model) Sawahlunto Region, West Sumatra,Journal of earth and marine technology ,Vol 4, No 1

Dowling, R.K. 2015. Geopark. In C. Cater, B. Garrod and T. Low (eds) The Encyclopedia of Sustainable Tourism (pp. 230‒231). Oxford: CABI.

Ebrahimpour, H., Nemati, V., Nezafat Takleh, B. (2023). Identifying the geotourism potential of Sarein County using the National Park Model and the Hadzik Model. Geography and Human Relations, 5(3), 161-183. doi: 10.22034/gahr.2023.381439.1795[In Persian].

Esfandiari Darabad, F., Nezafat Takleh, B. (2025). 6. Geotourism and geomorphological potential assessment of protected areas in Meshkinshahr County using quantitative models. Quarterly Journal of Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Studies, 6(3), 78-85. https://www.srds.ir/article_216380.html[In Persian].

Esfandiari Darabad, F., Nezafat Takleh, B., Shahbazi Shorfeh, Z. (2022), Investigation and evaluation of the impact of risks on tourism development (case study of Meshkinshahr city), Geography and Human Relations, Volume 5, Issue 3. https://www.gahr.ir/article_166434.html[In Persian].

Esfandiari Darabad, F., Nezafat Takleh, B., Shahbazi Shorfeh, Z., Nemati, V. (2023). Evaluation of geotourism and geomorphological capabilities of Sarein County using Kobalikwa and Feyolt models. Environmental Science Studies, 8(4), 7644-7658. doi: 10.22034/jess.2022.371296.1914[In Persian].

Fakhari, S. (2014), Geomorphological Modeling for Sustainable Development (Case Study: Proposed Geoparks of Damavand Region), PhD Thesis, Supervisor, Ezzatollah Qanavati, Kharazmi University. https://elmnet.ir/doc/10839138-1761[In Persian].

Gricelda Herrera, F. Karla, E. Carlos Mora, F. Paúl Carrión, M. Edgar, B (2021). Evaluation of a Paleontological Museum as Geosite and Base for Geotourism. 1208–1227.

Hashemi Dizaj, A. (2014). Investigating the extent and impact of competitiveness and geotourism capabilities on the economy of Ardabil province using the Comansco, Hadzik and Pavlova models (case study: the cities of Sarein, Meshginshahr, Hir). Environmental Sciences Studies, 7(4), 5624-5639. doi: 10.22034/jess.2022.345030.1798. [In Persian].

Hose, T.A. (2016). (Ed.) Introduction: Geoheritage and geotourism. In Geoheritage and Geotourism. A European Perspective; The Heritage Matters Series 19; Boydell Press: Woodbridge, UK, 2016; pp. 1–13. https://doi.org/9781783271474

Jahan Tighmand, S., Karam, A., Qanavati, A. (2022), Explaining the potential and tourism management of geosites based on the assessment of land diversity areas (Case study: Tangeh Vashi tourism area in Firouzkouh city), Applied Research in Geographic Sciences, No. 65, pp. 312-332. https://jgs.khu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_id=2758&sid=1&slc_lang=fa[In Persian].

Lai LS, To WM.(2015), Content analysis of social media: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research16, 125-138

Letunovska, N., Kwilinski, A., & Kaminska, B. (2020). Scientific Research In The Health Tourism Market: A Systematic Literature Review. Health Economics and Management Review. 1.8-19.

Mahato, M. K., & Jana, N. C. (2021). Exploring the potential for development of Geotourism in Rarh Bengal, Eastern India using M-GAM. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 9(3): 313-322.

Moghimi, A., Zare Ahmadabad, M., Mokhtari, D. (2014), Evaluating the potential of geomorphological forms resulting from the activity of the Tabriz fault in the development of geotourism using the Paniza method, Urban and Regional Policy, Volume 1, Issue 1, pp. 1-13. https://sanad.iau.ir/Journal/pur/Article/927356/FullText[In Persian].

Mukhtari, D. (2015), The importance of topographic maps in the management of geomorphic sites in Iran, (Case study: Payam Pass), Scientific and Research Journal of Geography and Planning, Year 16, Issue 37, pp. 151-172. https://journals.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_558.html[In Persian].

Nazafat Takleh, B., Esfandiari Darabad, F., Karam, A., Obidi Hamelabad, S. (2014). 10. Geotourism and geomorphological capabilities in tourist villages of Ardabil province. Quarterly Journal of Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Studies, 5(3), 151-172. https://www.srds.ir/article_211308.html. [In Persian].

Nilashia,b., Sarminah. S, Abdul Manafd. A, Ahmadie. H, A. Rashidf. T,. (2019). Factors influencing medical tourism adoption in Malaysia: A DEMATELFuzzy TOPSIS approach, Computers & Industrial Engineering 137, 53-67.

Rafael Altoe, A. Kátia Leite, M. Wellington Francisco, S. 2022. New Approach on the Quantitative Assessment of Geotouristic Potential: A Case Study in the Northern Area of the Rio De Janeiro Cliffs and Lagoons Geopark Project.

Rahimi, M., Henry, F., Rumiani, A., (2022), Planning and foresight of sustainable tourism development in Khuzestan province, Quarterly Journal of Regional Planning, Volume 12, No. 45, pp. 51-66. https://jzpm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_4247.html[In Persian].

Robert, B (2009). Geotourism Ambassadors: Blackstone Valley Story: Billington Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Sustainable Tourism Planning Laboratory Rhode Island.

Rosta, A., (2014), Explaining the effects of tourist experience and motivation in urban areas on tourist satisfaction and loyalty (case study: Kish and Qeshm tourist areas), Quarterly Journal of Regional Planning, Volume 12, Issue 45, pp. 228-211. https://jzpm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_5299.html[In Persian].

Sasanian, A., Nemati, V., Nezafat Takleh, B. (2002). Evaluating the geomorphological and geotourism potentials of Astara city using Hadzik and Feoult models. Geography and Human Relations, 6(3), 768-785. doi: 10.22034/gahr.2023.409888.1920[In Persian].

Taherkhani, M., Jahan Tighmand, S., Salimi Sobhan, M. R. (2019), Prioritizing Geo-Tourism Potentials of Geosites (Case Study: Alamut Qazvin), Geography (Quarterly Scientific-Research and International Journal of the Geographical Society of Iran), Year 18, Issue 64, 106-119. https://mag.iga.ir/article_245851_62eef55197f3aeddcae43e033db26ab6.pdf[In Persian].

Trempała, E. (2002). Czym jest nieformalna edukacja. In Edukacja w Dialogu i Reformie; Karpińska, A., Ed.; Trans Humana: Białystok, Poland, 2002.

Zand Moghadam, M. R. (2009), Investigating the potential of the desert plain as a geopark of central Iran and its role in the sustainable development of Semnan province, Geographical Journal of Environmental Planning, Year 2, Issue 6, pp. 1-20. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/246261[In Persian].

Zand Moghadam, M. R., Tousinejad, N., (2014), Evaluation and development of urban tourism with a sustainable development approach (case study: Region 11 of Tehran), Quarterly Journal of Geography and Urban Planning, Zagros Landscape, Volume 14, Issue 52, pp. 169-147. https://journals.iau.ir/article_693061.html[In Persian].