Evaluation of the Visitor Understanding of Coastal Geotourism and Geoheritage Potential Based on Sustainable Regional Development in Western Black Sea Region, Turkey

Canan Cengiz,Şükran Şahin,Bülent Cengiz,Mükerrem Bahar Başkır,Pelin Keçecioğlu Dağlı

doi:10.3390/su132111812

Canan Cengiz, Şükran Şahin + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111812

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Oct 26, 2021
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Ankara University, Bartin University

Abstract

The Black Sea coasts of Turkey have important examples of geological heritage with coastal cliffs in terms of geological formations and features. The Güzelcehisar Basalt Columns (GBCs) formation and its coast have been chosen as a research area in this article in terms of its basalt columns, rare coastal geological diversity and coastal geotourism potential. This paper presents the results of a visitor survey undertaken at the GBCs formation and its coast, located in the rural coastal part of Bartın province in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. This survey was conducted in 2020 to assess the tourism shoulder season visitors to the Güzelcehisar village. With the survey, its aim was to determine the awareness of the visitors on geoconservation and geodiversity and to evaluate the understanding of geological heritage and geotourism. In addition, it was desired to set visitor expectations to improve the geotourism experience. It was found that visitors had a high level of understanding and awareness of the terms “geodiversity”, “geoheritage”, “geotourism” and “geoconservation”. However, this survey also shows that there is less emphasis on the need to protect the geodiversity in Güzelcehisar. Guided walking is preferred in order to improve visitor understanding and improve experiences. These survey findings contain guiding explanations for studies that could provide a wider interpretation of the perceptions, experiences and expectations of visitors regarding the sustainable development of areas with similar coastal geotourism potential in Turkey.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilSpecial geological formations have long attracted visitors from around the world
Columns (GBCs) formation and its coast have been chosen as a research area in this article in terms of its basalt columns, rare coastal geological diversity and coastal geotourism potential
Most of the visitors had a high level of understanding and awareness of the terms “geodiversity”, “geoconservation” and “geoheritage”

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilSpecial geological formations have long attracted visitors from around the world. One of the newest concepts among today’s tourism types is geotourism. Hose [3] defined geotourism as a “provision of interpretive and service facilities to enable tourists to acquire knowledge and understanding of the geology and geomorphology of a site (including its contribution to the development of the Earth sciences) beyond the level of mere aesthetic appreciation” [1]. Later defined geotourism as “tourism which focuses on an area’s geology and landscape as the basis of fostering sustainable tourism development”. In the concept of “world heritage”, which has become increasingly important in recent years, its evaluation, management and protection, besides biodiversity, geological diversity (geodiversity) and geoconservation issues are highlighted [5].

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