Geotourism: From Theoretical Definition to Practical Analysis in the Sohodol Gorges Protected Area, Romania

Amalia Niță, Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa, Emilia Constantinescu () and Dorina Bonea ()
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Amalia Niță: Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa: Doctoral School of Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Emilia Constantinescu: Department of Agricultural and Forestry Technologies, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200421 Craiova, Romania
Dorina Bonea: Department of Agricultural and Forestry Technologies, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200421 Craiova, Romania

Geographies, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-40

Abstract: The Sohodol Gorges has become a location of interest for tourists seeking ecological experiences and outdoor activities. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the attitudes of Romanian tourists toward the development of geotourism in this region following the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the research questions, hypotheses, variables, and research methodology, the following research objectives were emphasized in this study of the Oltenia region: (1) investigate how certain socio-demographic variables, such as age, gender, level of education, and occupation, influence tourists’ perceptions of the various aspects of geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges; (2) analyze the different dimensions of geotourism, including its economic, ecological, and socio-cultural impacts, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of how geotourism is perceived in the study area in the post-pandemic context. For a qualitative evaluation of the information presented in this study, the authors used a qualitative survey with open questions and closed questions as a data collection method. For data processing and analysis, the EViews version 12.0 software package was used, enabling complex statistical analyses such as multiple regressions and correlation coefficient determination. These techniques were essential for identifying and interpreting the relationships between demographic variables and tourist perceptions. The research results provide a detailed picture of the influence that demographic and behavioral factors have on tourists’ perceptions in the context of post-COVID-19 geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges of Romania. Education level and age play a significant role in shaping economic and environmental perceptions, indicating that tourists with higher education levels are more aware of the economic and ecological impact of tourism.

Keywords: geotourism; protected area; geoparks; economic impacts; impact on the environment; socio-cultural impacts; forms of sustainable tourism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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