Evaluating the Geotourism Potential of Spa Springs in the Bestak and Larestan Counties Area
Narges Shahmohammadi
1
(
Master of Ecotourism, Department of Geographical Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran.
)
Mohammad Akbarian
2
(
Department of Geographical Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran.
)
mahdi mirzade
3
(
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Hormozgan University
)
Keywords: Geotourism, Bastak, Larestan, Pereira Model, Spa.,
Abstract :
Natural tourism is closely linked to sustainability. In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the application of geosciences in tourism, leading to the emergence of new terms such as geosite, geopark, geotour, and geotourism, all of which relate to the geological heritage. Spa springs are one of the important geotourism attractions in Larestan and Bestak counties. This study aims to assess the geotourism potential of the spa springs in these neighboring counties and compare them based on their intrinsic and management values. Data was collected through fieldwork and interviews with local authorities and experts. The Pereira method, designed for evaluating geomorphological sites, was used to assess the identified sites. The evaluation results using the Pereira model indicated that "Faryab" and "Garu" Spas were the most attractive with a score of 3.58 in terms of geomorphological quality. Faryab had the highest acquisition rate at 3.13, while Garu had the lowest at 1.75. The protection level of these Spas was similar. In terms of management, Faryab had the highest value at 8.16, and "Chaho" had the lowest at 6.67. In the final evaluation, "Faryab" and "Fatouye" Spas received the highest geotourism value. Despite Faryab having a higher geomorphological value compared to other spa sites, Fatouye's management values increased its overall ranking. What caused the difference in their management values is the level of use. It appears that Fatouye and Faryab spas, managed by local councils with more facilities, are more accessible and have higher management values than other spas in the region. Improving management infrastructure could enhance the geotourism potential of "Garu" and "Chaho" spas, bringing them closer to Fatouye's status. Overall, creating better management practices could increase the geotourism value of these spa springs in Larestan and Bestak counties.