Identification of Challenges and Solutions for The Development of Geotourism in Selected Rural Settlements in Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Hamedan Provinces

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Geography and Rural Planning, Geomorphology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. (Part-time Researcher at Kurdistan Studies Institute, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran)

2 Assistant Professor of Tourism Management, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

3 MA Student, Geomorphology, Geomorphology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Context and purpose: In order to optimally utilize the potential of geotourism in order to achieve sustainable rural development, providing a cognitive and scientific basis is a fundamental requirement. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to identify the challenges and solutions for developing geotourism in rural settlements, which has been conducted as a case study in three villages of Yozbashi Kandi, Quri Qaleh, and Alisadr.
Design/methodology/approach: In terms of methodology, this quantitative and applied study was conducted with a combination of descriptive-analytical and correlational-exploratory methods. The statistical population includes all residents of the selected villages, of which 314 people were ultimately considered as a statistical sample.
Findings: The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that the most important challenges to geotourism development, in order of importance, are: weak advertising and limited tourist accommodations (15.352%), weak local management and transportation infrastructure (11.576%), administrative limitations and weak knowledge and financial strength (11.37%), weak marketing and destination diversity (10.429%), cultural-security challenges (8.294%), and weak health infrastructure (7.507%).
Conclusion: The solutions presented by the local community for the development of geotourism are largely consistent with the identified challenges, and the local community has a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and solutions for the development of geotourism.
Originality/value: In our country, no study has been conducted on the challenges and solutions for developing geotourism from the perspective of the local community, and the present study can be a basis for other studies in the future.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Tourism Planning and Development
Volume 13, Issue 51
December 2025
Pages 215-237

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