ASSESSMENT OF THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF GEOTOURISTIC AREAS OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS’ BESKID MOUNTAINS

Abstract

For the purpose of organizing geotourism trips, geological and geomorphological objects of the Beskydy of the Ukrainian Carpathians were studied. Seven geotourism areas were identified, such as: Urytskyi, Yamelnytskyi, Syniovydnenskyi, Skole, Kliucha-Kamiankyi, Bubnyskyi and Rozgirche. Each of them characterizes morphological features of geomorphological objects, composition and structure of rocks, describes certain historical and cultural events related to them. To determine the tourist attractiveness of geological and geomorphological sites, an assessment methodology was developed based on the following indicators: the number of geological sites, their maximum heights, accessibility, picturesqueness (scenic beauty), visibility (sites as a vantage point of the area), scientific, educational, historical and cultural value, tourist infrastructure, popularity and tourist attendance. The analysis revealed that the most attractive tourist area within the study area is the Urytskyi tourist district, which, due to its picturesque cliffs with high historical and cultural value, has a significant number of tourists. In second place is the Bubnyskyi geotourism area, which has the largest number of the highest and most picturesque rocks. In third place is the Skole geotourism district, which has seven geo-attractions and is best equipped with tourist infrastructure facilities. The Kliucha-Kamianka area has an above-average attractiveness, with the largest number of different types of objects within its boundaries. It is the most popular and most visited by tourists. The tourist attractiveness of the Syniovydnianskyi geotourism area is somewhat less than the previous one, but there are outcrops among the geoattractions that have a high scientific and educational value. The Yamelnytskyi district has little attractiveness, it is little known, and the tourist infrastructure is poorly developed, but there are many rocks of different morphological types. Compared to other districts, the geotourism attractiveness of the Rozhirche district is low. The assessment of the attractiveness of the selected tourist areas showed that the highest scores were given to areas where geological and geomorphological objects are morphologically more diverse, with significant morphometric indicators, high landscape value, geological representation of the Carpathian structure, and various sedimentary and anthropogenic signs on the rock surface. Keywords: geological and geomorphological objects; geo-tourism; geo-attraction; tourist attractiveness; Ukrainian Carpathians’ Beskid Mountains.