Geoheritage and geotourism potential of the municipality of Rožaje (northeastern Montenegro)

Abstract

Rožaje is a municipality in the north-eastern part of Montenegro. The municipality covers an area of 432 km2 . According to the data of the last census, which was conducted in 2023. 25.247 inhabitants live in this Montenegrin municipality. There are a large number of geolocations in Rožaje that have great potential for the development of geotourism. The aim of this work is to make an inventory of geoheritage objects and their possible valorisation and geoconservation for the development of geotourism in this area. In addition, one of the objectives is to assess various geolocations in the municipality of Rožaje using the GAM (Geosite Assessment Model) and determine whether this area has the potential for geotourism development in the future. The paper proposes representative geolocations of this area that can form an excellent basis for the development of geotourism. The geolocations selected for this study are Musas Pit, Ćirko Cave, Grlja Waterfall, meanders with looping arches in the Ibar River canyon, Grope Cauldron on Hajla Mountain, limestone ridges in the Ganića Karst, Bukovica River canyon, Prvotunelska Cave, Vrelo Ibra Spring and Rujište Marshes. The GAM model will be used to determine which geolocations are suitable for the development of geotourism. In addition, measures for the preservation of geolocations and their geoconservation will be proposed. In other words, it will discuss how the development of tourism in the area can be successfully managed and sustainably planned. Natural resources are the main motive for tourist flows in the area.

Keywords

• geosites
• geoheritage
• geotourism
• gam
• rožaje
• montenegro