Exploring the Preferences of Iranian Geotourists: Case Study of Shadows Canyon and Canyon of Jinns

Nemanja Tomić, Babak Sepehriannasab, Slobodan B. Marković, Qingzhen Hao and Heros Augusto Santos Lobo
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Nemanja Tomić: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Babak Sepehriannasab: Department of Science, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izeh 63, Iran
Slobodan B. Marković: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Qingzhen Hao: Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Heros Augusto Santos Lobo: Department of Geography, Tourism and Humanities, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba 13565-905, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Compared to other parts of the country, the region of Central Iran still remains mainly outside of major tourism flows even though there are significant geosites with great value for geotourism development. Two of those sites, the Shadow Canyon and the Canyon of Jinns, have excellent qualities for the development of this form of tourism in the future. The goal of this research is to gain information about the preferences of Iranian geotourists and to determine the current state and geotourism potential of Shadows Canyon and Jinn Canyon located in Central Iran by applying the modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM). The results indicate that Iranian geotourists consider rarity and the number of viewpoints the most important when choosing which geosite to visit, while the least important are tour guide service as well as hostelry and restaurant service. The results also show that more attention should primarily be concentrated toward promotional activities and basic tourist infrastructure construction in the future to attract even more tourists to these and other geosites in Iran.

Keywords: geoheritage; geodiversity; modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM); geotourism; Iran; canyons (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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