Evaluation of the Role of Environmental Education in Manesht and Ghelarang Geotourism Destination, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the land ethics of tourists regarding the geotourism resources in the Protected Area of Manesht and Ghelarang, Ilam Province, Iran. The theoretical framework of the research is based on environmental knowledge, environmental behavior, normative pressures, facilities, multiple incentive models, ability, opportunity and environmental ethics model. Approximate number of tourists visiting (local tourist) the protected area in the specified time range (spring 2017) was 3,000. Using the Cochran sampling formula, the sample size was determined to be 475 people and questionnaires, based on available sampling, were distributed among the tourists. The findings show that there is no significant relationship between tourists' age, the habitat, and environmental behaviors. In contrast, there is a positive relationship with gender and level of education. This study demonstrates that the lowest score in the assessment section of the variables analyzed was related to environmental knowledge and facilities. Hence, the low environmental knowledge of tourists needs to be improved through training so that they can gain an increased environmental awareness over time. Further, the second factor involves discussion of structural facilities that are rooted in national macroeconomic, and management policies which requires a comprehensive overview of Iran's tourism management.

Comportamientos ambientales en el sector turismo: revisión de tema

“…Por su parte, Mokhtari et al (2019) resaltaron en su investigación sobre geoturismo, la importancia de los lugares protegidos en el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad y los sistemas naturales, y concluyen que es necesario considerar las facilidades de infraestructura que generen la oportunidad de realizar comportamientos adecuados como mapas de la zona, y facilidades higiénicas como recipientes para arrojar residuos; tal como lo indican D'Souza et al ( 2019) se debe buscar generar una relación de simbiosis entre turistas y la comunidad residente. Los beneficios no son solo económicos, también aporta a la salud en general, debido a una adecuada calidad del medio ambiente.…”

Landscapes of the Yazd-Ardakan Plain (Iran) and the Assessment of Geotourism—Contribution to the Promotion and Practice of Geotourism and Ecotourism

“…Other researchers [61,62] conducted studies on the role of environmental education in geotourism destinations and the significance of urban geomorphological heritage for urban geotourism development. The first study indicated that the lowest score was related to environmental knowledge and facilities.…”

Polarization of Stakeholder Orientation Towards Geotourism Development in the Mount Slamet and Serayu Mountainous Areas, Central Java Province

“…This condition was in accordance with the results of research conducted by Norrish et al (2014) on stakeholder perceptions of geotourism development in Perth Australia. The education aspect was a concern of stakeholders because geotourism products were rich in educational content, especially education about natural phenomena and geological/geological phenomena (Farsani et al, 2018;Mokhtari et al, 2019;Norrish et al, 2014;Walliss & Kok, 2014). The education aspect of travel should be a serious concern because the low interpretation and minimal number of tour guides can actually increase the negative impact on geotourism resources and the environment such as vandalism (doodles/graffiti), littering and other negative behaviors.…”

“…Earthquakes, tsunamis, ground movements, volcanic eruptions, liquefaction and drought are examples of many types of geological disasters which in the last two decades have increased their frequency of occurrence. With geotourism activities that are full of educational activities, it is hoped that tourists and the wider community will have additional knowledge about how to adapt and mitigate against these natural disasters (Newsome & Johnson, 2013;Farsani et al, 2018;Mokhtari et al, 2019).…”