Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Department of Geography and Urban and Rural Planning, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

2 PhD student geomorphology university of mohegehg ardabili.ardabil.iran

10.22034/gp.2024.62249.3270

Abstract

Objective: Geotourism is a special field of tourism that focuses on the exploration of geotourism potentials and geological heritage (geosites). The purpose of the current research is to assess the geotourism and geomorphological potentials of the touristic villages of Khalkhal using Kobalikova, Violet and Zoros geotourism models. It is located at 37 degrees 7 minutes to 37 degrees 56 minutes north latitude and 48 degrees 1 minutes to 48 degrees 54 minutes east longitude. The current research is descriptive-analytical-applicative.

Methods: to evaluate the studied areas from the Fiolet models, which examines geotourist areas based on four criteria: origin of formation, geographical distribution, tourism, and access status; The Kubalikova model, which emphasizes more on scientific, educational, economic, conservation and additional criteria, and finally the Zoros model, which evaluates the studied areas in three parts of scientific-educational value, conservation values, and usability value, has been used.

Results: Based on the results obtained from the Fiolet model, the village of Kazaj is in favorable management and tourism conditions with scores of 0.68 and 0.65, respectively, in management and tourism rates. Based on the results obtained from the Kubalikova model, the village of Kazaj, with a score of 11.75 out of 18 points, has favorable conditions for the development of the rural tourism industry in the region. Also, according to the results obtained from the Zoros model, the village of Kazaj, with a score of 61.5 out of 100 points, has taken the first place among the studied geotourism villages and has many geotourism and geomorphological capabilities.

Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that the village of Kazaj is one of the rare villages in the region due to its geomorphological attractions and terraced view, and it has a high potential to attract tourists.

Keywords

Main Subjects