Study of Factors Influencing the Attitude of Local People Toward Geotourism Development in Qeshm National Geopark, Iran

摘要

Magnificent natural features produced by geological processes attract different people and give rise to the development of a particular type of tourism. Geotourism in rural areas is associated with socioeconomic development (Farsani et al. in Int. J Tour Res 13:68-81, 2011); however, it may have adverse impacts on nature and also on the local community if not managed properly. In the geotourism industry, nature and geology, as a part of nature, are confronted by tourists (professional or general public) on one side and with the local people on the other side. Qeshm Geopark in Iran was registered as the first geopark in the region in 2006, based on the numerous exceptional geological features, consistent with the criteria proposed in Eder and Patzak (Episodes, 27:162-164, 2004), on an island in the Persian Gulf, and it was intended to attract people from Iran and also other countries. This research attempts to assess the attitude of the local population toward the geotourism in Qeshm Island to identify the impacts of geotourism. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to achieve this goal. Twenty qualitative interviews were performed with the residents of Qeshm and were analyzed by concept analysis methods. These interviews were used to decipher the opinion of Qeshm residents about the sociocultural impacts of geotourism and also to construct items compatible with the living conditions of the Qeshm residents. In the quantitative methods of the research, the resident's attitude toward the development of geotourism and its influencing factors was studied based on social exchange theory, Bourdieu's cultural capital and Doxey's Index in combination. In this survey, the data were collected by questionnaires. Two hundred Qeshm residents were asked to complete the questionnaires, and these people were selected through a purposive sampling method. The study area was visited twice, and interviews were conducted with the residents as well as with the officials in Qeshm. The results show that about 58 % of people of the Qeshm Island had a positive view toward geotourism, and based on Doxey's Index, they seem to show euphoria. The euphoria is higher among those with a better socioeconomic status, higher cultural capital and more contact with the tourists. This is attributed to the job opportunities created by the development of tourism. Therefore, increasing job opportunities is one of the most significant impacts of geotourism, so that 81 % of people are highly satisfied with boosting this industry in the region. Another substantial positive impact of the development of geotourism is also by creating ethnic and cultural pride among the local people. Cultural capital has proved to be the most influential variable among the research variables. Social exchange theory was confirmed by the results of this study. Survey findings also showed that geotourism promotion and development policies in Qeshm require more organized programs and a stronger contribution of the local communities.