The Integrated Assessment of Degraded Tourist Geomorphosites to Develop Sustainable Tourism: A Case Study of Grădina Zmeilor Geomorphosite, North-West Region, Romania

Abstract

Most of the natural geomorphosites represent main attractions that have a high tourism potential and need great care in terms of their capitalization. The irrational tourism capitalization of the geomorphosites may lead to their degradation because of the lack of proper tourism infrastructure and the practice of random and uncontrolled tourism. The reintroduction in the tourism circuit of such geomorphological structures that have a high landscape and scientific value claims, first of all, the assessment of the current state of degradation and the drawing up of sustainable development proposals from a geomorphological point of view. This study deals mainly with the assessment of a geomorphosite (Grădina Zmeilor Geomorphosite, North-West Region, Romania), using a complex methodology, which is based on the identification of criteria influencing the tourism development of the geomorphosite, and their analysis by means of qualitative points given according to the impact of each criterion. A total of 17 criteria have been therefore identified. They are structured along four levels of analysis which are integrated in the form of spatial analysis based on weighted average, and highlight the overall value of the analysed geomorphosite. By implementing the methodology in the proposed research, a total value of 0.29 has been obtained in an interval between 0 and 1. This value underlines the high degree of degradation of the geomorphosite. The planning proposals have the main purpose of increasing the overall value of the geomorphosite by providing sustainability in its capitalization. To achieve this, proposals have been made to mitigate the shortcomings for a total of four criteria. The overall value of the geomorphosite has been recalculated, resulting a significant increase of the value (0.33), highlighting the impact of the implementation of these proposals in practice for the development of the geomorphosite and the increase of its level of tourism attractiveness. The introduction of this objective on the tourist map, following the application of the suggestions proposed in this paper, can lead to favorable economic development both at the local and regional level. This analysis model can also be applied to other geomorphists facing the problem of degradation and involution.

Climate Suitability for Tourism in Romania Based on HCI: Urban Climate Index in the Near-Future Climate

“…However, the amplitude of this impact is not high, especially in medium-sized urban areas. This advantage may be amplified by strengthening other forms of tourism appropriate for each region or destination, capitalizing on resources such as geological characteristics [94,95], opportunities for adventure tourism [96], wine production [97], senior needs and interest [98] and cultural heritage [99,100]. The exploitation of natural resources, including climate, should be accompanied by effective marketing strategies (e.g., [101][102][103]) as well as by investments in infrastructure (e.g., [104][105][106]).…”

The Valuation of the Urban Ecotourism Potential of the Volcanic Geomorphohydrosite Băile Tuşnad in Harghita County, Romania

“…the activity of promoting forms of relief through tourist activities (visits, hikes, excursions, sports competitions, recreation, curative and maintenance treatment, etc.). The concept of geotourism, which emerged in the early 1990s, has focused mainly on the role of the form of relief in the tourist promotion of a region through its genetic, evolutionary and aesthetic attributes, integrated into the geographical landscape (Ciangă, 1997;Irimuș et al, 2015;Irimuș, 2010;Irimuș et al, 2011;Irimia, 2014;Panizza & Piacente, 1993;Panizza & Piacente, 2008;Codrea et al, 2022;Pralong & Reynard, 2005;Pralong, 2005).…”

“…The forms of relief, products of both endogenous and exogenous processes in the volcanic area, will bear the imprint of post-evolutionary evolution. River water was the main agent shaping the relief, resulting in barrancos valleys with defile sectors (narrowing and widening), where later the local population, through its activities, has anthropized the landscape, redefined its functions (Irimuș et al, 2017;Irimia, 2014;Nistor et al, 2018;Codrea et al, 2022;Pop et al, 2019) (housing, tourism, ecology) and created a new type of relationship with the environment (Irimuș et al;2015, Irimuș, 2010, aspects that have encouraged the emergence of urban settlements (cities) or rural settlements (villages).…”