ASSESSING THE GEOTOURISM POTENTIALS OF KAZEROON TOWN BY USE OF PRALONG METHOD: LESSON FOR BIMP-EAGA REGION

Abstract

One of the interdisciplinary research approaches appeared in recent years is where geomorphologic matters and tourism are interfered. In this manner, geomorphological sites are defined as geomorphologic landforms and processes that have acquired a scenic/aesthetic, scientific, cultural/historical and social/economic value due to human perception of geological, geomorphological, historical and social factors. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to identify Kazeroon geomorphosites and their ecotourism potentials by use of Pralong method which is an updated method used for the assessment of tourism potential of geomorphosites. The geomorphosites and their location are found via studying of topographic maps and satellite images and field surveys. Consequently, their features were set in a sheet of paper as geomorphosite identification sheet. Pralong method was then applied to determine the capabilities and functionality of any geomorphosite Land – Tourism. In this sense, the high value of the geomorphosites is mainly depended on their scientific values since the low values of studied geomorphosites are due to some reasons such as availability problems, distance to population centers, unidentified potentials, the people‘s view towards tourism and their special manner of passing their free time, and inattention towards ecotourism in its real concept. The results of the ranking of Geomorphosites shows that the Bishapour historical and natural complex is the most important geomorphosite of the study area due to having high historical and archaeological value and beautiful landscape. Eventually, the presentation of a new view to geomorphologic units and definition of these areas in the molding of ecotourism concept is the main finding of this article.