Investigation of geotourism potential using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS), Rafsanjan County, Kerman Province

Geotourism which is one of the tourism branches is economically profitable industry. Economic balance between the different areas, protection of natural heritage, preventing environmental degradation, creating job opportunities, improving the quality of cultural perspectives could be considered as positive consequences in the planning of this type of tourism. The purpose of this research is to investigate the geotourism potential of Rafsanjan County using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS). In order to reach this purpose satellite image processing, along with field observations surveys and other sources of information such as reports, roads, soil and geology, and topography, maps were utilized. First the effective factors on geotourism were discriminated using study of different literatures and interview with experts. Then the data for these factors were prepared through satellite images, field data, topography and geology maps and their database were created at GIS. Finally the suitable value were assigned to each factors according to the questionnaire and the geotourism potential were determine through analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and weighted overlay model. The results revealed that the AHP and GIS have great efficiency in discriminating potential areas and Rafsanjan country contain relatively good potential for geotourism activities.