How Can Tufa Deposits Contribute to the Geotourism Offer? The Outcomes from the First UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia

Abstract

The study focuses on the present state and the assessments of geotourism development of the two most representative tufa deposits in the Djerdap National Park—the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia. The findings were designated through implementing the freshly upgraded methodology—M-GAM-1-2 based on an early modified geosites assessment model (M-GAM). To overcome the limitations of the previous model, the authors implemented additional enhancements and involved members of the local community (residents and authorities) in the study to comprehensively evaluate the observed sites. The outcomes revealed that the attitudes of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration in order to develop geotourism properly, additionally attract visitors, and preserve tufa deposits for future generations of locals and visitors. Moreover, geotourism at the observed sites can be one of the vital activities of the population, as well as a type of compensation for various limitations in the development, which are imposed by the regimes of natural and cultural heritage protection within the recently established UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Degree of Environmental Risk and Attractiveness as a Criterion for Visiting a Tourist Destination

“…In addition to natural reasons, the rising population and all of its activities may also be the source of the increase in environmental dangers [110,111]. Visitation to the afflicted area may decline as a result of disasters and other crises (such as epidemics, conflicts, and pollution) [57,62,109]. The perception of tourist risk comprises knowledge of the social and environmental conditions in popular tourist areas as well as the security circumstances surrounding "food, housing, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment" during the journey process [112].…”

“…Recurring visits also lessen concerns about environmental threats [51]. Numerous researchers have examined the effects of environmental dangers on tourists' perceptions and plans in relation to sociodemographic parameters [16,[52][53][54][55], with some authors emphasizing the issue of age [56][57][58] before moving on to the component of tourists' psychological capacity for risk-taking [59]. According to the same authors, there are seven factors that are related to both psychological and material preparedness for both men and women: knowledge of psychological preparedness, prior emergency training or experience, exposure to natural hazards in the past, higher awareness scores, higher active engagement coping style scores, low stress scores, and low depression scores.…”

Conditionality of Visiting a Tourist Destination by the Degree of Environmental Risk and Attractiveness

“…Disasters and other forms of crises (e.g. epidemics, conflicts, pollution) can lead to a decrease in visitation to the affected area [57,62,109]. Tourist risk perception includes awareness of the state of the social and natural environment in tourist destinations and the security situation of "food, housing, transportation, travel, shopping, entertainment" in the travel process [112].…”

“…Also, repeated visits reduce fears of environmental risks [51]. Many authors have investigated the impact of environmental risks on the perception and intention of tourists depending on sociodemographic factors [16,[52][53][54][55], where some authors emphasize the factor age [56][57][58], then the factor of tourists' psychological readiness to accept risks [59]. The same authors found that for women and for men, there are seven factors associated with psychological and material preparedness: awareness of psychological preparedness, prior emergency training or experience, prior exposure to natural hazards, higher awareness scores, higher active engagement coping style scores, low-stress scores, and low depression scores.…”

Analysis of geotourism promotion strategies based on social media in Karanganyar Regency, Indonesia

“…Leveraging geographic segmentation on social media platforms emerges as a promising strategy for disseminating information about Karanganyar's natural attractions and customizing promotional approaches to target specific audience demographics, as outlined by various researchers [16,17]. Furthermore, the global trend of promoting geotourism has gained momentum, as seen in numerous initiatives and investigations worldwide [18][19][20]. By embracing such marketing strategies and aligning with contemporary practices, Karanganyar can unlock its full tourism potential, thus ensuring a more prosperous and sustainable future for the local community and the broader Indonesian economy [11].…”