Introduction:

Tourism is a fundamental element in the development of a region. Geotourism, as a novel approach within the tourism sector, examines the relationship between space, environment, culture, and tourism, aiming to enhance the connections among space, humanity, and culture in the context of tourism. It seeks to view tourism as an opportunity for the preservation and development of the environment and cultural heritage. In recent decades, geotourism has become one of the most significant forms of tourism worldwide due to its diverse applications. Notable applications of geotourism include its positive impact on local economies, environmental conservation, the promotion of cultural and historical significance of locations, enhancement of tourism infrastructure, and the creation of job opportunities. The study of geodiversity and geomorphosites represents an integrative concept that bridges tourism studies and earth sciences, facilitating a reevaluation and popularization of earth science concepts among the public.



Research Methodology

The research methodology employed in this study is a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative analyses with a practical objective. Initially, the geosites located on the northern slopes of the Bozqush Mountain range were identified through interviews and field observations. Subsequently, the value of these geosites was assessed using the Primary Geodiversity Assessment (PGA) method. The statistical population for this segment of the research comprised the opinions of 15 experts from the Department of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of East Azerbaijan Province, as well as the Cultural Heritage Department of Sarab County. To evaluate the geotourism potential of the northern slopes of Bozqush, a questionnaire was designed to weight the criteria based on the MACBETH model. Expert opinions were solicited from 15 faculty members of the Department of Geomorphology and Geology at Tabriz University, as well as specialists from the Water Department of Sarab County. In this questionnaire, participants were asked to provide scores for pairwise comparisons of the criteria and their importance on a scale from 0 to 6.

In the third phase, hot springs were prioritized using a questionnaire based on the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) model. In this questionnaire, expert opinions were gathered from 15 specialists from the Water Department of Sarab County, the Cultural Heritage Department of Sarab County, and the Regional Water Authority of East Azerbaijan Province. They were requested to rate the proximity of the criteria to the reality of the hot springs using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5.



Conclusion:

Geotourism, as a critical option in the tourism industry, aims to achieve objectives such as environmental sustainability, increased economic profitability, reduction of detrimental impacts resulting from the exploitation of geological and geomorphological resources, and minimal changes to natural ecosystems. The northern slopes of the Bozqush Mountain range in East Azerbaijan Province possess significant potential for geotourism development due to their unique characteristics, facilitating activities such as mountaineering, slope climbing, skiing, and hydrotherapy.



This research aims to evaluate the geotourism capabilities of the northern slopes of the Bozqush Mountain range in Sarab County. To prepare maps of geotourism potential zones, 15 key criteria were initially identified, and corresponding maps for each criterion were developed using ARC GIS software. Subsequently, using the MACBETH model and considering the established priorities for geotourism development in the region, each criterion was weighted. The findings revealed that the elevations of Bozqush were identified as the most significant influencing criterion in this study.



The northern slopes of the Bozqush Mountain range, due to their diverse and challenging routes for mountaineering and slope climbing, can attract tourists. Additionally, the potential for snow accumulation in winter provides suitable opportunities for the development of winter sports. This region, with its natural hot springs known for their therapeutic properties, can also be recognized as a health tourism destination.



To optimize the utilization of the region's geotourism capabilities, it is essential to develop infrastructure, including the establishment and improvement of transportation, accommodations, and amenities for tourists. Ensuring the safety of mountaineers and slope climbers through the installation of signposts, creation of designated paths, and hiring of local guides is crucial. Furthermore, educating and promoting sustainable tourism to tourists and local communities to enhance awareness regarding the importance of natural resource conservation is necessary. Providing facilities and services for winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, including the establishment of ski slopes and provision of equipment, is also vital.



The results of the zoning analyses indicate that 33.21% of the area is classified as highly suitable, 58.37% as suitable, 7.41% as relatively suitable, 1.01% as relatively unsuitable, and 0.006% as unsuitable. Activities such as mountaineering and slope climbing, as well as hydrotherapy, are prioritized over other activities. These findings emphasize the need to identify zones for potential geotourism locations adjacent to the hot springs of Asbfarushan, Allah Haq, Ardaha, Shalghon, Jaldeh Bakhan, and Narmiq.



Given the high potential of the hot springs in enhancing the geotourism capabilities of the region, prioritization of these springs was conducted using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) model. The prioritization results indicate that the hot springs of Asbfarushan, Allah Haq, Ardaha, Shalghon, and Jaldeh Bakhan, along with Narmiq, are ranked highest in priority.



This research demonstrates that the northern slopes of the Bozqush Mountain range possess significant potential for the development of geotourism activities. Planning for sustainable tourism development, particularly in mountaineering, slope climbing, and winter tourism, can substantially contribute to the conservation of the region's natural and geological resources while enhancing public awareness in this field.