Quantitative assessment of natural heritage sites, new insight in ecotourism destination development planning (Case study: Bushehr Province)

Extended abstract

Introduction

According to the World Heritage Convention, natural heritage (NH) includes natural features that consider the landforms, geological and physiographic formations and features, natural sites or designated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or aesthic. Examining the elements of nature and their zoning in terms of natural heritage beauty and geological heritage can enable optimal productivity of nature and ecosystem services, and the present research with this approach, seeks sustainable use of the natural heritage of Bushehr Province, southeast of Iran. It is for the purposes of tourism and recreation at the regional and national level as well as transnationally. Bushehr Province has many relative advantages such as rich culture, natural gifts and unique tourist attractions and cultural heritage; Using the benefits of all these ecosystem resources in the economic development programs of the province can play a big role in increasing growth indicators and reducing the unemployment rate. Preparing the appropriate infrastructure for this tourism space and strengthening the tourism industry is one of the most important needs of the province in this field.



Materials and methods

The research method is descriptive-analytical (quantitative) and field study to investigate the natural heritage potential of Bushehr Province using spatial data related to the research problem. The main goal of the current research is to quantitatively evaluate the land heritage sites of the southern coasts of the country, a new approach in development planning for the nature-based tourism destination in Bushehr Province. For the quantitative assessment of the natural heritage sites of the province, four methods of M-GAM, Fassoulas, Comanescu and Kubalíková have been used. These methods have been used because the Kubalikova method emphasizes more on scientific features and the Comanescu method uses several methods to evaluate geosites and emphasizes management, beauty, scientific, etc. Fassoulas method also emphasizes more on protection aspects; In fact, the Fassoulas method has been used to complete the Comanescu method and to evaluate geosites in terms of all criteria. Jam method is generally based on tourism and human values.



Results and discussion

For the purpose of this study, 63 sites/ natural heritage or geographical heritage previously described in Bushehr Province were evaluated using GAM/M-GAM, Kubalíková, Fassoulas and Comanescu methodology. The purpose of this stage of the current research was to compare the current situation and their geotourism potential and identify the most suitable sites for the initial development of geotourism in the province based on a combined method using the identification, listing and evaluation of geosites/land heritage. The highest values of all the criteria were obtained in the four methods used for the wetland and protected area of Helle, Asalouye mangrove forest and Mira Ahmad hot spring. The protected area of Helle Wetland is one of the most important destinations for nature tourism and bird watching in Bushehr (tourism values). After the formation of this wetland, many plants have grown (ecological, conservation and aesthetic values). It is also a suitable place for those interested in nature and scientific studies (scientific/educational and intrinsic values).



Conclusion

The present research, in the first part, evaluated the natural heritage sites and geomorphosites of Bushehr province using the four mentioned methods. The combination of the mentioned models can give more accurate and objective results of evaluating the criteria and sub-criteria values of Bushehr's natural heritage sites. In addition, a clearer and more realistic image is obtained, which can be useful for planning and improving visitor activities in other geosites in the country. By identifying geosites and natural heritage sites in the region, each of them was evaluated using the aforementioned methods. Based on the ranking of natural heritage sites based on the evaluation of each site, the top natural heritage sites for educational and tourism activities are Asaluyeh Mangrove Forest, Nayband National Park, Mirahamd Hot Spring, Faryab Waterfall, Jashak Salt Dome, Mond Protected Area and Khayiz Tourism Area. . These sites have the most potential for the development of tourism based on land/natural heritage. Furthermore, the results of the evaluation methods of natural heritage, geoheritage, geosites and geomorphosites of less known areas can be a source for geotourism activities that support economic development and help local communities. The present study from Bushehr province shows that the sites are attractive and suitable for the development of geotourism. This can be due to the educational and aesthetic value of the site and the existence of tourism infrastructure (including transportation, marked routes and other tourism services).