Canyons as potential geotourism attractions of Central High Atlas, Morocco: Comparative analysis of Aït Bouguemaz Valley and Zaouiat Ahansal-Taghia Valley by using GAM model

Abstract

The present study is part of a reflective approach that examines and compares two popular geo-destinations in Moroccan Central High Atlas, the Aït Bouguemaz and Zaouiat Ahansal-Taghia valleys, using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM). The model uses two indicators, main values and additional values, with 12 and 15 sub-indicators, respectively. The results show that the Aït Bouguemaz Valley has high main values (9.75) and moderate additional values (8.25), while the Zaouiat Ahansal-Taghia Valley has moderate main values (8) and additional values (5.25). This work shows that despite the high scientific and aesthetic values of these two geo-destinations, there is still much to be improved, especially concerning functional and tourism values, in particular, management and planning, as well as infrastructure as a basis for geotourism development.