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Modeling of Ecotourist Zones in Međimurje County Using Multi-Critery GIS Analysis
Silvija Šiljeg
; Sveučilište u Zadru, Odjel za geografiju
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Marica Mamut
; Sveučilište obrane i sigurnosti „Dr. Franjo Tuđman“, Zagreb
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* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
The development of ecotourism is becoming an increasingly important segment of the modern tourist market, with an emphasis on the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. As a form of tourism that combines environmental protection, local communities and authentic experiences, ecotourism provides an opportunity to stimulate economic development in rural areas, while at the same time preserving their ecological and cultural heritage. However, in order to ensure the long-term sustainable planning of ecotourism, it is crucial to precisely identify and evaluate the spatial zones suitable for its development. This paper investigates the potential of ecotourism development in Međimurje County by integrating multi-criteria GIS analysis (MCDA-GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The goal of the research was to create a land suitability model in order to identify the zones with the greatest capacity for sustainable ecotourism development. The model integrates analyses of criteria divided into three basic groups: 1) topographic criteria (slope, exposure, visibility, altitude), 2) geoecological criteria (relief forms, geological cover, pedological cover, land cover, sensitive areas, distance from water areas) and 3) socioeconomic criteria (distance from the settlements, roads, cultural facilities and negative factors). Weighting coefficients for each specific criterion are determined using the AHP method, where the criteria are compared according to their relative importance. The results of multi-criteria GIS analyses, performed using the weighted linear combination (WLC) method, were integrated into a unique suitability model, which was then reclassified into four classes of suitability: highly suitable (S3), medium suitable (S2), low suitable (S1) and unsuitable (NS). According to the results, 21.24% of the area was classified as very suitable, while the largest part, 37.37%, was marked as moderately suitable for the development of ecotourism. The obtained results enabled the identification of priority zones, whereby the areas along the Drava and Mura rivers and the hilly parts of Gornje Međimurje showed the greatest potential. The research confirms that Međimurje County, with its rich natural and cultural resources, represents an ideal area for sustainable ecotourism development. The proposed model provides a scientific basis for spatial planning and decision-making, and its applicability extends to other areas with similar geographic characteristics.
Ključne riječi
MCDA-GIS; AHP; ecotourism; Međimurje County
Hrčak ID:
334426
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.7.2025.
Posjeta: 172 *