Assessment of Geotourism Features in Hassana Dome Protected Area as a Geosite

Yehia Kamel Abdou, Maha; Bakri Hassan, Suzan; M. Wafik, Ghada

doi:10.21608/ijhth.2019.92794

Assessment of Geotourism Features in Hassana Dome Protected Area as a Geosite

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ijhth.2019.92794

Abstract

This research aims to identify the role of natural and geological features and geosite management in increasing the demand of Hassana Dome Protected Area in Egypt. A single case study was applied in this research. A mixed approach was used to obtain adequate information for achieving the research aim, two stages were considered to be the most appropriate form of data collection instruments, multiple sources of data collections, including questionnaire and direct observation to gather a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. A convenience sample technique was chosen in this research. The total number of distributed questionnaires was 250 copies. The final returned questionnaires were 190 copies with 76% response rate and the program of (SPSS, version 25) was used for analysing data.
The results show that there was no demand for visiting Hassana Dome Protected Area. However, it has an attraction that helps it to be geotourism sites. The results indicated that Hassana Dome Protected Area is characterized by unique diversity in geological and geomorphological. As well, it has a history and geological importance and the interest of scientists and researchers, and it has an aesthetic value that targets tourists. The results reported that there are no suitable programs to promote tourism awareness of the importance of geotourism sites. The results showed that there is no plan for development and there is a lack of marketing activities or promotion plan for promoting Hassana Dome Protected Area. This research has a number of limitations were, firstly, this research focused on one case study of Hassana Dome Protected Area. Secondly, the literature showed there had been clear lack of prior research studies on geotourism site in Egypt, in particularly Hassana Dome Protected Area. Future research should address more geosites in Egypt, it also should undertake to test the findings of this research.

Keywords