Assessing the Tourism Potentials of Dissolution Landforms, Based on Pralong and Pralong Modified Models (Cocean), Case Study: Sarab, Seyed-Isa and Chehel-Peleh Caves)

Abstract

Dissolution landforms as geomorphosites with high tourism potentials can play a boosting role in tourism industry of a country. This paper aims to evaluate the geo-tourism potentials of three caves in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province, namely Sarab, Seyed-Isa and Chehel-Peleh which were selected out of 60 landforms identified across the province. The paper made use of Prolong and Prolong Modified Models. With regard to research tools, this study mainly employed topographic and geological maps, field examination data and questionnaires. Findings revealed a difference in the tourism values resulted from the two models. Based on Prolong Model, Sarab Cave indicated the highest tourism value of 15.75, with Chehel-Peleh and Seyed-Isa in the second and third place respectively. However, according to Prolong Modified Model, Sarab and Seyed-Isa were the t

Keywords

• dissolution landforms
• geomorphosite
• geotourist
• tourism industry
• pralong method