Using Principe Component Analysis to Identify the Most Important Criteria on the Preferences of Walking Tracks of Ziarat Watershed Basin

Paying attention to the landscape values will increase the credibility and value of its walking tracks. Regarding the importance of walking tracks in creating the sense of tranquility, security, and beauty for human beings, it is essential to preserve and improve the scenic beauty and quality of these routes. Recognition of effective criteria on landscape values is one of the important factors in tourist attraction that might lead to economic development of the region. Ziarat watershed basin with its beautiful landscapes is one of the most famous tourist destinations of Golestan province. The purpose of this study is to determine the most important criteria for selecting and prioritizing the routes which has been done using a questionnaire survey and principle components analysis method. The questionnaire was distributed among 388 visitors of the study area and the results were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that among 22 surveyed criteria in this study, 6 criteria including route length, diversity of vegetation density, cleanliness, texture diversity, directional signs and shape of the route (direct trails or complex trails) are more important criteria for visitors. The results of this research could be used to improve the route landscapes and their quality, attract more tourists, and provide a framework for selecting and classifying the routes.