Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Evaluation of Geo-sites in the Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains with Respect to Geo-tourism Development

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Geoheritage Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains (located in Western Serbia) constitute the longest mountain range in Serbia and possess numerous and diverse geo-heritage sites. In prior research, this region has been poorly investigated in terms of evaluating its geo-sites for geo-tourism potential. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare protected geo-sites in the Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains in order to determine their current state and potential for future geo-tourism development. This is done by applying the modified geo-site assessment model (M-GAM). Eight geo-sites were analysed and evaluated: Kovačevića Cave, Trešnjica Gorge, Taor Springs, Gradac Gorge, Crna River Gorge, Petnica Cave, Ribnica Gorge, and Ribnica Cave. The research results show the analysed geo-sites possess substantial geo-tourism development potential for making the Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains a geo-tourism destination. However, there is a lot of room for improvement of additional values such as promotion, tourist infrastructure, visitor centres, tour guide services, and interpretative panels. The results also show that there are certain differences between the evaluation of hydrological and speleological geo-sites within a region. Therefore, in order to comparatively analyse with maximum relevance, it is proposed to use the model to evaluate the same type of geo-sites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

See references.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Antić A, Tomić N (2017) Geoheritage and geotourism potential of the Homolje area (eastern Serbia). Acta Geoturistica 8(2):67–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antić A, Tomić N (2019) Assessing the speleotourism potential together with archaeological and palaeontological heritage in Risovača Cave (Central Serbia). Acta Geoturistica 10(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Antić A, Tomić N, Marković SB (2019) Karst geoheritage and geotourism potential in the Pek River lower basin (Eastern Serbia). Geogr Pannonica 23(1):32–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antić A, Peppoloni S, Di Capua G (2020a) Applying the values of geoethics for sustainable speleotourism development. Geoheritage 12(3):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antić A, Tomić N, Đorđević T, Radulović M, Đević I (2020b) Speleological objects becoming show caves: evidence from the Valjevo karst area in Western Serbia. Geoheritage 12(95). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00517-9

  • Antić A, Tomić N, Marković S (2020) Karst-based geotourism in eastern carphatian serbia: Exploration and Evaluation of Natural Stone Bridges. Geoconserv Res 3(2):62–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Bollati I, Smiraglia C, Pelfini M (2013) Assessment and selection of geomorphosites and trails in the Miage Glacier Area (Western Italian Alps). Environ Manag 51(4):951–967

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boškov J, Kotrla S, Jovanović M, Tomić N, Lukić T, Rvović I (2015) Application of the Preliminary Geosite Assessment Model (GAM): The Case of the Bela Crkva Municipality (Vojvodina, North Serbia). Geogr Pannonica 19(3):146–152

  • Božić S, Tomić N (2015) Canyons and gorges as potential geotourism destinations in Serbia: comparative analysis from two perspectives—general geotourists’ and pure geotourists’. Open Geosci 7:531–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Božić S, Tomić N, Pavić D (2014) Canyons as potential geotourism attractions of Serbia - comparative analysis of Lazar and Uvac canyons by using M-GAM model. Acta Geoturistica 5(2):18–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Bratić M, Marjanović M, Radivojević AR, Pavlović M (2020) M-GAM method in function of tourism potential assessment: Case study of the Sokobanja basin in eastern Serbia. Open Geosci 12(1):1468–1485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brilha J (2016) Inventory and Quantitative assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites: a review. Geoheritage 8:119–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2005) Geosite evaluation; can we measure intangible values? Alpine Mediterr Quat 18(1):293–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2009) Direct and parametric methods for the assessment of geosites and geomorphosites. In: Reynard E, Coratza P, Regolini-Bissig G (Eds.) Geomorphosites. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München. Section II, pp 73–88

  • Coratza P, Giusti C (2005) Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. Alpine Mediterr Quat 18(1):307–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Dearden P, Harron S (1994) Alternative tourism and adaptive change. Ann Tour Res 21(1):81–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decision on the protection of Natural Monument Ribnica (1999) Retrieved from http://zzps.rs/wp/pdf/Odluka%20o%20zas%CC%8Ctiti%20Ribnic%CC%8Cka%20pec%CC%81ina.pdf. Accessed 15 Feb 2020

  • Decree on protection of Special Nature Reserve “Trešnjica river gorge” (1995) Retrieved from http://demo.paragraf.rs/demo/combined/Old/t/t2008_09/t09_0083.htm. Accessed 16 Feb 2020

  • Dowling RK (2011) Geotourism’s Global Growth. Geoheritage 3(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dowling RK (2013) Global geotourism – an emerging form of sustainable tourism. Czech J Tour 2(2):59–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling RK, Newsome D (2006) Geotourism. Oxford: Elsevier

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowling RK, Newsome D (2017) Geotourism destinations—visitor impacts and site management considerations. Czech J Tour 6(2):111–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Đurđić S (2015) Nature Conservation. Belgrade: Faculty of Geography

    Google Scholar 

  • Erhartič B (2010) Vrednotenje geomorfološke dediščine. Acta Geogr Slov 50(2):295–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fassoulas C, Mouriki D, Dimitriou-Nikolakis P, Iliopoulos G (2012) Quantitative assessment of geotopes as an effective tool for geoheritage management. Geoheritage 4(3):177–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golić R, Joksimović M (2017) Possibilities of protection of Taor Springs as natural monument. Proceedings of the “Planning and Normative Protection of Space and Environment” conference. Serbian Spatial Planners Association, Faculty of Geography – University of Belgrade, pp 401–409

  • Gray M (2004) Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature. Chichester: Wiley

  • Gray M (2008) Geodiversity: developing the paradigm. Proc Geol Assoc 119(3–4):287–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hose TA (1995) Selling the story of Britain’s stone. Environ Interpretation 10(2):16–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Hose TA, Vasiljević ĐA (2012) Defining the nature and purpose of modern geotourism with particular reference to the United Kingdom and South-East Europe. Geoheritage 4(1–2):25–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • http://okvirzivota.org.rs/. Accessed 16 Feb 2020

  • https://www.opanak.rs/muzej-kamena-u-mionici/. Accessed 20 Feb 2020

  • https://www.turistickisvet.com/news/tourism/muzej-kamena-kod-mionice---eksponati-stari-nekoliko-miliona-godina-1.html. Accessed 15 Feb 2020

  • Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia (2020). Available at: http://www.zzps.rs/wp/gradac/?lang=en. Accessed 1 Mar 2020

  • Järviluoma J (1992) Alternative tourism and the evolution of tourist areas. Tour Manag 13(1):118–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonić V (2018) Comparative analysis of Devils town and Bryce canyon geosites by applying the modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM). Res Rev Dep Geogr Tourism Hotel Manag 47(2):113–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Kličković M, Pavićević D, Nešić D, Mijatović M, Ognjenović S, Grubač B (2007) Kovačevića Cave—protection and revision. J Nat Conserv 57(1–2):89–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarević R (1996) Valjevo karst—caves, pits, and karst hydrography. Belgrade: Serbian Geographical Society

    Google Scholar 

  • Milenković J, Lukić M, Milovanović J (2020) M-GAM model based evaluation of Gradac river gorge for geotourism development. Proceedings of the V International Scientific Conference in the field of tourism and hospitality – SITCON 2020. Belgrade: Singidunum University, pp 48–60. https://doi.org/10.15308/Sitcon-2020-48-60

  • Newsome D, Dowling RK (2010) Geotourism: the tourism of geology and landscape. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Newsome D, Dowling RK, Leung YF (2012) The nature and management of geotourism: a case study of two established iconic geotourism destinations. Tour Manag Perspect 2–3:19–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ólafsdóttir R (2019) Geotourism. Geosciences 9(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences9010048

  • Pál M, Albert G (2018) Comparison of geotourism assessment models: and experiment in Bakony-Balaton UNSECO Global Geopark Hungary. Acta Geoturistica 9(2):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pál M, Albert G (2021) Examining the Spatial Variability of Geosite Assessment and Its Relevance in Geosite Management. Geoheritage 13(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00528-6

  • Peppoloni S, Di Capua G (2016) Geoethics: ethical, social, and cultural values in geosciences research, practice, and education. In: Wessel G, Greenberg J (Eds.) Geoscience for the public good and global development: toward a sustainable future. Geological Society of America, special paper 520, pp 17–21. https://doi.org/10.1130/2016.2520(03)

  • Pereira P, Pereira D, Caetano Alves MI (2007) Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geogr Helv 62(3):159–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pralong JP (2005) A method for assessing tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites. Géomorphologie 11(3):189–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynard E (2008) Scientific research and tourist promotion of geomorphological heritage. Geogr Fis Din Quat 31:225–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007) A method for assessing “scientific” and “additional values” of geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):148–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson M, Novelli M (2005) Niche tourism: an introduction. In: Novelli M (ed) Niche Tourism; contemporary issues, trends and cases. Oxford: Elsevier, pp 1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Serrano E, González-Trueba JJ (2005) Assessment of geomorphosites in natural protected areas: the Picos de Europa National Park (Spain). Géomorphol Formes Process Environ 3:197–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simić S (2008) Waters of Valjevo’s Kolubara—an integral part of protected natural areas. J Nat Conserv 58(1–2):53–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Spasojević M (1979) Trešnjica basin’s relief. Bull Serbian Geogr Soc 59(1):11–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanojević D (2009) Biogeographical features of the Ribnica river valley’s canyon-gorge and their adequate protection. Collection of Papers—Faculty of Geography at the University of Belgrade 57:47–58

  • Suzuki DA, Takagi H (2018) Evaluation of geosite for sustainable planning and management in geotourism. Geoheritage 10(1):123–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telbisz T, Mari L (2020) The significance of karst areas in European national parks and geoparks. Open Geosci 12(1):117–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telbisz T, Stergiou CL, Mindszenty A, Chatzipetros A (2019) Karst features and related social processes in the region of the Vikos Gorge and Tymphi Mountain (Northern Pindos National Park, Greece). Acta Carsologica 48(1):29–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telbisz T, Gruber P, Mari L, Kőszegi M, Bottlik Z, Standovár T (2020) Geological Heritage, Geotourism and Local Development in Aggtelek National Park (NE Hungary). Geoheritage 12(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00438-7

  • Tičar J, Tomić N, Breg Valjavec M, Zorn M, Marković SB, Gavrilov MB (2018) Speleotourism in Slovenia: balancing between mass tourism and geoheritage protection. Open Geosci 10(1):344–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N (2011) The potential of Lazar Canyon (Serbia) as a geotourism destination: Inventory and evaluation. Geogr Pannonica 15(3):103–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Božić S (2014) A modified geosite assessment model (M–GAM) and its application on the Lazar Canyon area (Serbia). Int J Environ Res 8(4):1041–1052

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Marković SB, Korać M, Mrdić N, Hose TA, Vasiljević ĐA, Jovičić M, Gavrilov MB (2015) Exposing mammoths: from Loess research discovery to public palaeontological park. Quat Int 372:142–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Antić A, Marković SB, Đorđević T, Zorn M, Valjavec MB (2019) Exploring the potential for speleotourism development in Eastern Serbia. Geoheritage 11(2):359–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Marković SB, Antić A, Tešić D (2020) Exploring the potential for geotourism development in the Danube Region of Serbia. Int J Geoheritage Parks 8(2):123–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomić N, Sepehriannasab B, Marković SB, Hao Q, Lobo HAS (2021) Exploring the Preferences of Iranian Geotourists: Case Study of Shadows Canyon and Canyon of Jinns. Sustainability 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020798

  • Triarchi E, Karamanis K (2017) Alternative tourism development: a theoretical background. World J Bus Manag 3(1):35–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valente E, Santo A, Guida D, Santangelo, N (2020) Geotourism in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni UNESCO Global Geopark (Southern Italy): The middle bussento karst system. Resources 9(52). https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9050052

  • Vasconcelos C, Torres J, Vasconcelos L, Moutinho S (2016) Sustainable development and its connection to teaching geoethics. Episodes 39(3):509–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasović M (2003) Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains. Valjevo: Agency Valjevac

    Google Scholar 

  • Višnić T, Spasojević S, Vujičić M (2016) The potential for geotourism development on the Srem Loess Plateau based on a Preliminary Geosite Assessment Model (GAM). Geoheritage 8(2):173–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vujičić MD, Vasiljević ĐA, Marković SB, Hose TA, Lukić T, Hadžić O, Janićević S (2011) Preliminary geosite assessment model (GAM) and its application on Fruška Gora Mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia. Acta Georg Slov 51(2):361–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vukoičić D, Milosavljević S, Valjarević A, Nikolić M, Srećković-Batocánin D (2018) The evaluation of geosites in the territory of National park “Kopaonik” (Serbia). Open Geosci 10(1):618–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vuković S, Antić A (2019) Speleological approach for geotourism development in Zlatibor county (West Serbia). Turizam 23(1):53–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zouros NC (2007) Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece Case study of the Lesvos island—coastal geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):169–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The paper is part of a research project (no. 176008) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jelena Milenković.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Not applicable.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Milenković, J. Evaluation of Geo-sites in the Podrinje-Valjevo Mountains with Respect to Geo-tourism Development. Geoheritage 13, 44 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00567-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00567-7

Keywords

Navigation