Identifying the geotourism potentials of East Azarbaijan province and its development using geotourism models (case study: Zenuzagh, Kandavan, Ashtabin)

Geotourism is one of the important types of ecotourism with a responsible and conservation-oriented approach that emphasizes the popularization of earth sciences and the cultural, social and economic development of the local community. The purpose of this research is to investigate the geotourism capabilities of East Azarbaijan Province using the Pavlova, Kubalikova and Hadzik model. Three study areas including the geotourist areas of Kandavan, Zanouzgh and Ashtabin have been selected. Based on Paulova's model, the results showed that the Kandavan geotourism area with the highest score in the positive factors promoting the competitiveness of geotourist destinations includes natural wealth with a score of (7) and the highest value among the negative items of competitiveness, budget deficit and the lack of skilled professionals with a score of (5) It creates the most negative impact on the attraction of tourists. Also, the results of the Kobalikova model showed that the Kandavan region has the highest score compared to other regions with a value of (9.25). In the Hadzik model, according to the study of scientific and surplus values according to the opinion of experts and tourists, the results showed that the average scores of the items in Kandavan geotourism area with the highest score are in the first priority. Therefore, it can be concluded that by evaluating and identifying the geotourism potentials of East Azarbaijan Province and developing the capabilities, it will lead to the development of geotourism areas and attracting tourists.