Determining the Approaches and Development Policies of Geotourism in Meshkinshahr

Geo-tourism is one of the most important types of tourism which has become very popular during recent years. This study is an analysis of geo-tourism attractions in the northern slope of the Sabalan mountains in Ardabil such as Ghoutoor-Sooyi hot springs, Shabil hot springs, Ghynerjeh and national park of Meshgen-Shahar،Shirvan valley, Goorgoor falls of Sabalan based on a SWOT strategic model. Using  this model, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats which are related to the development of geo-tourism in the area understudy were checked. As a result, twelve strengths, twelve weaknesses, fourteen opportunities and twelve threats were identified. Furthermore some approaches were presented in order to develop geo-tourism in the mentioned area.