METHODOLOGY OF GEOSITES’ TOURIST ASSESSMENT AND GEOTOURISM MAPPING (EXAMPLES OF ŠTIAVNICKÉ VRCHY, SLOVAKIA)

Štiavnické vrchy are a geomorphological region of Slovakia, the landscapes of which attract the attention of tourists. The main goal of the article is to apply a methodology for assessing the tourist attractiveness of geosites according to scientific, aesthetic, cultural-historical, socio-economic, ecological, safety values, based on the works of leading geomorphological scientists in Europe. Geosites with the most pronounced characteristics were selected as an example for each evaluation criterion, which differ significantly from objects that do not have such characteristics and influence the final assessment of the overall tourist attractiveness. The existing methodology has been supplemented with a criterion for the safety of tourists during hikes. Based on the obtained assessments of tourist attractiveness on the corresponding map geosites with high, medium and low tourist attractiveness were identified as the main result of the work and recommendations were given to improve this indicator for sites with low attractiveness through the organization of artificial attractive objects. Such activities include the organization of forest arboretums, various museums, gastronomic and equestrian tourism facilities. It is proposed to take morphometric indicators into account for the tourist assessment of geosites, as they determine the visibility, attractiveness, diversity and passability of the territory, as well as the microclimatic conditions of the area. It was concluded that further tourist development of sites with low tourist attractiveness depends on economically labor-intensive measures to clear and develop tourist trails, which are currently characterized by unsatisfactory conditions. However, the implementation of such actions will be useful in the long term and will ensure sustainable development of the territory. The study concludes that structured evaluation and thematic mapping can guide sustainable geotourism development. These findings can influence geotourism strategies in other regions.