Potential of geotourism for regional development: the case of “Iron Gates” park in Serbia

Eighth Belgrade Grammar School (Belgrade, Serbia) ,Dobrila Lukić,Marko D Petrović,Darko B Vuković,Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” (Belgrade, Serbia)

doi:10.15826/recon.2018.4.4.021

Eighth Belgrade Grammar School (Belgrade, Serbia) , Dobrila Lukić + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15826/recon.2018.4.4.021

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Journal: R-Econom	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
Citations: 4	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Belgrade Open School, Geographical Institute

Abstract

This paper focuses on the case of “Iron Gates” National Park located along the Danube between Serbia and Romania and discusses the opportunities and prospects for developing geotourism. Apart from being an area of natural beauty, this park comprises a wide range of spectacular geological sites, historical and cultural monuments. The authors also examine the concept of geotourism and show its connection to other types of tourism such as nature tourism and adventure tourism. Using statistical methods and methods of comparative analysis, they analyse the data on tourism development in Đerdap (Serbia) and Mehedinţi County (Romania) in 2015. Such indicators as the number of tourists and overnight stays, the number of accommodation facilities the coefficient of functionality, and so on are considered. The conclusion is made that the national park “Iron Gates” holds significant potential for the development of sustainable tourism in the region if the park’s geoheritage sites are consolidated into a single tourism route “Iron Gates Geoheritage”, which would be highly likely to become a successful product in the tourism market. This product could be presented either directly, as a tourist destination, or indirectly, through event tourism, excursions, transit tourism and so on, and offered to both domestic and international tourists.

Highlights

Before the 1980s, mass industrial tourism was a prevalent concept and the development of tourism was seen in terms of such economic indicators as profit and employment rates or gross national product
Geotourism is tourism which aims to sustain or enhance natural environment and its geodiversity. It is a highly specialized type of tourism focused on geostructures and as such it is related to nature tourism and ecotourism [2,3,4]
The concept of geotourism is to some extent similar to ecotourism and it can be considered desirable only if it encourages tourists and locals to treat the environment with respect

Summary

Introduction

Before the 1980s, mass industrial tourism was a prevalent concept and the development of tourism was seen in terms of such economic indicators as profit and employment rates or gross national product This approach had a negative effect on the environment and society. There are activities that are more focused on enhancing tourists’ understanding of the environment and improving the environment (ecotourism and geotourism), whereas in other cases tourists seek enjoyment, recreation and adventure (nature tourism and adventure tourism based on geodiversity). As for management, it should be comprehensive and in line with the industry sectors and activities relevant to the area; projected outcomes should be clearly stated and responsibilities, delegated This understanding of planning and management is aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. The main branches of industry include hydropower engineering (“Đerdap I” and “Đerdap II” Hydroelectric Power Plants), transportation (the Danube Pan-European Corridor VII), tourism, agriculture, fishing and fisheries, forestry, stone extraction in the village of Brnjica and copper mining in Majdanpek [13,14,15,16]

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