Geotourism: From Theoretical Definition to Practical Analysis in the Sohodol Gorges Protected Area, Romania

Sohodol Gorges has become a location of interest for tourists looking for ecological experiences and outdoor activities. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the attitudes of Romanian tourists toward the development of geotourism in this region following the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the research questions, hypotheses, variables, and research methodology, the following research objectives were emphasized in this study of the Oltenia region: (1) to investigate how certain socio-demographic variables, such as age, gender, level of education, and occupation, influence tourists' perceptions of the various aspects of geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges; (2) to analyze the different dimensions of geotourism, including its economic, ecological, and socio-cultural impacts, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of how geotourism is perceived in the study area in the post-pandemic context. For data processing and analysis, EViews software version 12.0 was used, enabling complex statistical analyses such as multiple regressions and correlation coefficient determination. These techniques were essential for identifying and interpreting the relationships between demographic variables and tourist perceptions. The results of this research provide a detailed picture of the influence of demographic and behavioral factors on tourists' perceptions in the context of post-COVID-19 geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges of the Romania. Education level and age play a significant role in shaping economic and environmental perceptions, indicating that tourists with higher education levels are more aware of the economic and ecological impact of tourism.