Estimating the Tourism Potential of Sarein County Based on the Sustainability Model

Subject Areas :

Hatef Hajiri Nayeri ^{1 *} , Behrouz Nazafat Takleh ² , Maryam Jami Odulu ³

1 - Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
2 - Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
3 - Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

Received: 2025-08-07 Accepted : 2025-09-18 Published : 2025-09-23

Keywords: Capability assessment, geotourism, tourism potential, Sarein County, sustainability model.,

Abstract :

Geotourism is one of the newest concepts in the field of tourism and primarily focuses on promoting geological and geomorphological features in landscapes as tourist attractions. The aim of the present study is to estimate the tourism potential of Sarein County based on the sustainability model. The methodology in the present study is to use the quantitative models of Kobalikova, Violet, and Zoros. First, the research problem and its literature were explained using a library method. Then, the available statistics, data, and information from the region were collected using a descriptive-analytical method. Based on the results of the Kobalikova model, the Darband-e-Verghesaran region has obtained the highest score with the highest value in all indicators and a total score of (47.7). Accordingly, this region has the highest geotourism potential. Also, based on the Violet model, the Verge Saran region has the highest score with a total of (41.7), the management rate in the Verge Saran region has the highest score with a value of (4.3) and the tourism rate in the Viladre region has the highest score with a value of (39.3). The results of the Zoros model also show that the Verge Saran, Viladre and Esbmarz regions have the highest tourism potential with a total score of 86, 78 and 67 respectively. In general, the results show that the geotourism regions of the Verge Saran, Viladre and Esbmarz regions have the highest geotourism capacity, respectively. The results show that in the evaluated models for the geotourism region, the Varghesaran dam is known as the region with the highest geotourism potential, with the highest score in all evaluation models. This region, benefiting from numerous geological, geomorphological, environmental, and historical attractions, has a very high potential for the development of geotourism. Finally, it is suggested that software and artificial intelligence be used in future studies to estimate the tourism potential of Sarein County.

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