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AUTHOR(S):

Sarina Akbari, Hamidreza Ramazi

 

TITLE

Application of AHP -SWOT and Geophysical Methods to Develop a Reasonable Planning for Zagheh Tourist Destination Considering Environmental Criteria

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ABSTRACT

This paper aims to develop geotourism in the Zagheh area, western Iran. There is an expose of a water-filled cave that has a considerable potential in attracting tourists. To investigate the karstic zones and find the path of water the surface geophysical methods of Rs, MLAM and SP were applied in this study. The water flow direction has been well detected by the SP method. The cave related anomalies are appeared at the location of two resistivity sections along P1 and P2 profiles. Besides, a 3-D Rs model was prepared which demonstrated that each karstic area may contain a number of small to large cavities that are linked together like a beehive. Afterwards, an AHP-SWOT model was used to determine the most critical factors for the development of geotourism in the region. The results show that opportunities are the most important factors in the development of geotourism in the study area. So, the region has a high potential for tourism and with the help of suitable planning and proper management, it can become an excellent tourist attraction. This conclusion has been made assuming considering all environmental regulations. Due to the high importance of environmental issues, this research has also been investigated with the assumption of not considering environmental regulations. The results of the AHP-SWOT approach clearly revealed the importance of respecting environmental issues and showed that in this case the threats of investment to turn the Zagheh area into a tourist destination will be much greater than its opportunities. So, the continuation of the project will not be logical.

KEYWORDS

Geotourism development, environment, Karstic zones, geophysics, electrical resistivity, self-potential, Mise-a-la-masse, AHP-SWOT

 

Cite this paper

Sarina Akbari, Hamidreza Ramazi. (2023) Application of AHP -SWOT and Geophysical Methods to Develop a Reasonable Planning for Zagheh Tourist Destination Considering Environmental Criteria. International Journal of Environmental Science, 8, 11-56

 

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