Abstract
Abstract Present geological and geomorphological objects are non-living features that can enhance curiosity and increase the knowledge of Earth's history, through the development of geotourism. The municipality of Durrës, located in western Albania represents an active tectonic area with numerous landforms, an evidence of geodiversity and geoheritage. In this paper, the most typical geosites are identified mainly based on their scientific values as well as their geotourism potential. After the defining of 5 geosites, through geological and topographical map, we applied the Geosite assessment model (GAM). GAM is widely used in Europe on different areas and has given good results in the evaluation of geosites. The GAM method involves only experts’ opinions, which are essential for the preliminary development of geotourism in Albania. This method produce different main values (MV) and additional values (AV) score, which are very useful results in preservation, conservation and promotion of the area.
Highlights
In the last decade, nature tourism in Albania has been developed significantly, but people have only limited knowledge about the Earth’s history and geomorphological processes
A modern definition of geotourism is made by Hose and Vasiljevic (2012) is as follows: The provision of interpretative and service facilities for geosite and geomorphosites and their encompassing topography, together with their associated in situ and ex situ artefacts, to constituency-build for their conservation by generating appreciation, learning, and researching by, and for current and future generations
The geosite assessment model (GAM) created by (Vujicić et al 2011) is chosen in our study, which has been extensively used in different European areas with good results
Summary
Nature tourism in Albania has been developed significantly, but people have only limited knowledge about the Earth’s history and geomorphological processes. In a more general sense, geotourism should be understood as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place-its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents (Sharples 2002, National Geographic 2005) Both meanings express their features, such as geological- and geomorphological-based features, environmental education, tourist satisfaction, sustainable development and locally beneficial (Newsome, Dowling (Eds.) 2010, Newsome et al, 2012), so it’s important to be part of Albanian’s tourism management strategies. The geosite assessment model (GAM) created by (Vujicić et al 2011) is chosen in our study, which has been extensively used in different European areas with good results This method is used in other articles (Braholli, Menkshi 2019, Braholli, Miçi 2020), which produced good qualitative assessment of geosites in other regions of Albania. This article highlights the current state, their scientific, education, aesthetic and additional values (AV) of the present geosites in Durrës municipality
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