Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS)

Abstract Background and Objective: The present study aimed to test the level of sustainability of economic tourism in these three cities based on the quantitative models of Zoros, Kobalikwa, and Feuillet.
Methodology: The research method is a combination of quantitative and descriptive-analytical methods and the required data are collected through official statistical sources, field questionnaires and secondary data. In the Kobalikova method, the criteria are placed in five groups. It covers almost all the features of geotourism. The value of each criterion in this model varies between zero and one (0-1). In the Violet method, geomorphosites and landforms were selected for study and evaluation based on four criteria: origin of formation, geographical distribution, tourism, and general accessibility status of this national park. The overall evaluation of geotourism and geomorphosites in this method is based on two main rates. In the Zoros method, scientific criteria of potential threats and usability are used to evaluate geosites, and each of the criteria used also has sub-criteria.
Findings and results: Based on the results obtained from the Kobalikwa model, Sarein County has obtained the highest score compared to other geotourism areas with a value of (74.6). The evaluation of the Zoros model also showed that among the geosites of Ardabil province (the studied areas), the Sarein geosite has the highest score with 74 points, and after this geosite, the Khalkhal and Germi geosites have obtained 68 and 58 points, respectively. Also, in the method of evaluating national parks, where the value of geotourism is evaluated in two parts: management rate and tourism rate, Sarein County, with a total score of (14.7), has diverse capabilities compared to other geotourism areas.
Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that Sarein County is in a relatively stable state in all three models due to its high concentration of tourism infrastructure, economic investment, and economic efficiency. Khalkhal County, despite its natural and ecotourism capacities, is ranked second due to its weakness in economic infrastructure. Despite its regional potential, Germi County has the lowest level of economic sustainability of tourism in terms of the three indicators. Finally, it is suggested that future studies should use various models and online questionnaires to evaluate the capabilities and capacities of economic tourism.
Keywords: : Economic tourism, sustainability, quantitative models, Ardabil province

Abstract Background and Aim: Geotourism, as one of the new and developing branches of tourism, examines and uses the geological and geomorphological characteristics of natural areas in order to attract tourists. Tourism target villages can be recognized as attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists due to their beautiful natural landscapes, special geographical features, and rich culture. The aim of the present study is to identify the geotourism and geomorphological capacities of tourism target villages in Namin Township in Ardabil Province.
Methods and Material: The method of the present study is to use the new quantitative model of Kobalikwa and Feylot (National Park). In the Kobalikwa method, which emphasizes more on scientific, educational, economic, conservation, and additional criteria, it evaluates the study areas by comparing sub-criteria. In the national park model, geotourism areas are examined based on four criteria: origin of formation, geographical distribution, tourism, and accessibility. The tourism target villages in this study are Anbaran, Golshan, and Soha in Namin Township.
Results and Discussion: The results of the evaluation of the Kobalikwa geotourism model showed that the Anbaran tourism target village, with a score of 10.25, has the highest score among the studied areas, and the second and third places are Soha and Golshan, with scores of 9.5 and 8.25, respectively, which indicates that the Anbaran village has high potential to introduce Namin Township at the national and international levels. The results of the national park model also showed that the Anbaran region, with the highest score of 25.11, has suitable potential compared to the other studied areas. Based on the results in this model, the management and tourism rate of Anbaran was estimated to be very excellent. Therefore, it is concluded that Anbaran village is a historical, cultural, economic and ultimately geotourism village that can be recognized at the national and international levels. Finally, it is suggested that other evaluation models and the integration of natural and human factors be used in future applied studies for better evaluation.

Abstract Background and Objective: This study evaluated the geotourism capabilities and potentials of Nir County, located in Ardabil Province. This county has high geotourism capabilities due to its location on the slopes of Sabalan and Bozqosh. The development of the geotourism industry in this county can be a driver of sustainable economic development in the region. The purpose of this study is to analyze the geotourism and geomorphological potentials of Nir County in Ardabil Province.
Methodology: In Nir County, there are two geotourism axes: Bulaghlar and Saein. In the present study, the geotourism capabilities of the aforementioned axes were evaluated using two models: Kobalikwa and Feyolt. The aforementioned models have numerous indicators that, in addition to geological-geomorphological aspects, also consider other factors such as cultural-historical monuments, access, management, and vulnerability.
Findings and Results: The evaluation of geotourism axes using the aforementioned models showed that the Bulaghlar region has higher geotourism potential for several reasons. In this context, we can mention geomorphological diversity (geodiversity), the presence of numerous hot springs, beautiful and lush nature, proximity to the Nirchai and Balikhlochai rivers, proximity to the city of Nir, easier access, the presence of cultural-historical monuments, the display of local traditions through the holding of numerous festivals, favorable access to the Sabalan ranges, and similar cases. For this reason, the Bulaghlar region obtained higher scores in relation to most of the indicators of the models used. According to the results of the models, it can be said that two basic challenges, including the lack of protective measures and the limited infrastructure and service-welfare facilities, are among the most important obstacles to the development of the geotourism industry in Nir county.
Conclusion: The results show that the development of tourism and geotourism in Nir County is generally one-dimensional and that various aspects of geotourism such as scientific values, geomorphological diversity, geomorphological conservation, and sustainable development have been neglected. However, a multidimensional view of the geotourism industry with a conservation approach along with the development of infrastructure and facilities can significantly develop the tourism industry and transform the regional economy.

Abstract Background and Objective: Geotourism is a type of tourism that is based on geological and geomorphological phenomena and landscapes and has expanded in recent decades with the aim of socio-economic development of geotourism destinations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the geotourism capabilities and geomorphological destinations of Hir Township for economic development.
Methodology: The nature of this study is descriptive-analytical-applied and to investigate the geotourism potential of the Hir region, the Renard models that examine geomorphosites based on three scientific, added and combined values; the Feuillet model that is based on four criteria of origin of formation, geographical distribution, tourism and accessibility; and finally the Kobalikwa model that emphasizes more on scientific, educational, economic, conservation and cultural criteria were used.
Findings and Results: Based on the results obtained from the Reynard model, the Hair Suspension Bridge has a high geotourism potential and is ranked in the top category, with an average score of 0.7 in the scientific value index, 0.39 in the added value sub-index, and 0.74 in the composite value sub-index. Also, the Hair Suspension Bridge has various capabilities to introduce the region to domestic and foreign tourists based on the Feulet evaluation model in the management and tourism rates, with values ​​of 0.65 and 0.61, respectively. The results also indicate that based on the Kobalikwa model, the Hair Suspension Bridge has a high geotourism value among the studied geosites with a total score of 75.8 and has attracted many tourists to this region. Therefore, it is concluded that the Hair Glass Suspension Bridge in the city of Hair has diverse geotourism and geomorphological potentials and capabilities in the region and is ranked in the top category in terms of attracting tourists to the region and increasing economic power. Therefore, it is suggested that by using virtual and online tourism and introducing different regions of this city to tourists, preparations should be made to attract domestic and foreign tourists to this region.

Abstract Background and Objective: Geotourism examines geological features, such as rock structures, tectonic processes, and natural phenomena such as caves, springs, and mountains. These features can be used in the present study to evaluate and quantify the capacities of tourism land in order to attract tourism in Karaj city based on quantitative models (case study: villages of Berghan, Varian, Sanj Kordan).
Methodology: In this study, two quantitative models, Kobalikva and Feullet, which are indicated by the abbreviations (K) and (F), have been used. In the Kobalikva method, which emphasizes more on scientific, educational, economic, conservation and additional criteria, and evaluates the studied areas by comparing sub-criteria. In the national park model, geotourism areas are examined based on four criteria: origin of formation, geographical distribution, tourism and accessibility.
Results and findings: The results of the evaluation of the Kobalikva geotourism model showed that the village of Berghan has a high potential for attracting tourists, with a score of 11.5. Also, according to the results, the water village of Varian is in second place with a score of 8, and the reason is that compared to the village of Burghan received a lower score due to difficult access and its only waterway. And the third region in terms of tourism with a score of 6 is the village of Sanj Kordan. The Violet model also showed that Burghan tourism region has the highest potential in the studied areas with a score of 75.10. Based on the results in this model, Burghan's management and tourism rate was estimated to be very excellent. Therefore, it is concluded that based on the results, Burghan's geotourism region has appropriate capabilities for tourism development in Karaj Township in Alborz Province compared to other studied areas. Finally, it is suggested that artificial intelligence capabilities be used in future studies to evaluate the studied areas.