GEOTOURISM; AN ALTERNATIVE TOURISM COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONSERVATION AND ORGANIZING OF ABILITIES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH EXAMPLES FROM NORTHWESTERN IRAN

Abstract

All evidence about Iran's villages and local communities, suggests a gradual disintegration of their capabilities. This phenomenon, more and more migration to cities has caused the residents of these areas. Geotourism, which is the protect and support the five key aspects of geographical features of the area, namely the environment, culture, aesthetics, science, education and well-being of local people insisted, can play a special role in maintaining the capabilities of local communities. This study is aimed to introduce some geosites and geomorphosites of northwest of Iran and explain of the role of development or vanishing of Geotouristic areas on protection and Organization of ability of local communities. Research methodology is based on literature review, taking advantage of the valuable experiences of other countries and researchers in the field of tourism, identify and analyze geotouristic issues of some geotouristic areas of northwestern Iran using landscape analytical techniques, and ultimately establish the position of geotourism in protection and organization geotourisic areas. Study of the dependence of local communities in the studied areas to the environmental changes and the impact of these changes on stability or disintegration of geotouristic areas showed that geotourism intrinsic properties such as environmentalism, productivity, resource conservation, respect local traditions and culture, qualitative review, synergy, collaboration, awareness, economic benefit, integrity, and ultimately satisfaction, all emphasized on the conservation and sustainable exploitation coupled with development.