Geotourism and geopark development in Iran:: Exploratory analysis of opportunities and challenges

• Yari, Parvin ^[1] ; Saladié-Borraz, Òscar ^[1] ; Díaz-Soria, Inmaculada ^[2]
  1. [1] Universitat Rovira i Virgili

     Universitat Rovira i Virgili

     Tarragona, España

     
  2. [2] Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

     Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

     Barcelona, España

     
• Localización: Repensando los destinos turísticos en tiempos de cambio global / Adrián Ferrandis Martínez (ed. lit.), Carmen Zornoza Gallego (ed. lit.), José Vicente Sánchez Cabrera (ed. lit.), 2024, ISBN 978-84-9133-737-9, págs. 97-116
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto Completo Libro
• Resumen

  • The abundance and diversity of geological phenomena in Iran — which geologistshave labeled a “1.5 million km2 geological museum” — makes this country a paradise for naturebased tourism. For more than 20 years, theoretical and practical efforts have been made tointroduce and develop the concept of geo-heritage and geo-tourism in Iran. Together with thecountry’s rich cultural features, introducing geographical areas in the larger context of geoparkshave been considered by geologists. The first geopark in Iran and in the Middle East joined theGlobal Network of Geoparks (GGN) in 2006, and two other geoparks were signed as members ofthe GGN by 2023. In 2016, UNESCO defined “geoparks” as areas larger than a pedestrian distance,where the same or different types of geo-sites exist together with all other aspects of the area’snatural, cultural and intangible heritages. These areas which have significant geo-scientific,cultural, social, economic, historical and anthropological potential for tourism are managed witha holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.This study aims at analyzing the importance of geo-tourism and geoparks in Iran; and to considerthe country’s historical and gradual geo-tourism development to define the preliminary results interms of opportunities and main challenges. For this purpose, exploratory research of conductedscientific publications obtained from archives have been analyzed by focusing on information onthe geographical, geological, administrative and sociological aspects of geo-tourism areas tocharacterize strategies for geo-heritage conservation and geoparks in Iran during the 2001-2023period. The findings allow us to realize that taking advantage of the geoheritage potential tocreate geoparks and expanding geotourism opportunities within this framework is considered to be one of the important means of promoting sustainable tourism development in Iran. Wediscovered several challenges when applying sustainable tourism development principles at theoperational level, including the management of geoheritages sites and a lack of general policies.Despite this, however providing a snapshot of the geosociological landscape and discussingseveral regional opportunities, pathways and practical attempts will lead to prosperoussustainable tourism development in Iran.