Geotourism Potentials of Geosites in Durrës Municipality, Albania

In the last decade, nature tourism in Albania has been developed significantly, but people have only limited knowledge about the Earth's history and geomorphological processes. In order to increase scientific education, protect geoheritage and develop social and economic aspects especially in rural areas, geotourism should be promoted. According to Gordon (2018), today geotourism is essentially a cultural response to the physical landscape. Furthermore, the first attempts to define geotourism were made by (Hose 1995, 2003, 2005, 2011, Hose et al. (2011). A modern definition of geotourism is made by Hose and Vasiljevic (2012) is as follows: The provision of interpretative and service facilities for geosite and geomorphosites and their encompassing topography, together with their associated in situ and ex situ artefacts, to constituency-build for their conservation by generating appreciation, learning, and researching by, and for current and future generations.

In a more general sense, geotourism should be understood as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place-its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents (Sharples 2002, National Geographic 2005). Both meanings express their features, such as geological- and geomorphological-based features, environmental education, tourist satisfaction, sustainable development and locally beneficial (Newsome, Dowling (Eds.) 2010, Newsome et al., 2012), so it's important to be part of Albanian's tourism management strategies.

Albania has an inventory of geoheritage identified by geological and geographical researcher such as (Frashëri 2012, Qiriazi, Sala 2006, Serjani et al. 2003) but the designations of qualitative values of geosites are a few. According to (Panizza 2001, Reynard 2005, Reynard, Panizza 2005, Reynard et al. 2016), geosites are portions of geosphere that present a particular importance to the comprehension of the Earth history, geological and geomorphological objects that have acquired a scientific, cultural/historical, aesthetic and/or social/economic values due to human perception or exploration, as part of geodiversity and geoheritage (Gray 2004). Several geosite assessment models are found in scientific studies, created by researches such as (Boskov et al. 2015, Pereira 2010, Pereira et al. 2007, Pralong 2005, Reynald 2005, Reynard, Panizza 2005, Tomić, Božić 2014, Vujicić et al. 2011, etc. The geosite assessment model (GAM) created by (Vujicić et al. 2011) is chosen in our study, which has been extensively used in different European areas with good results. This method is also used in other articles (Braholli, Menkshi 2019, Braholli, Miçi 2020), which produced good qualitative assessment of geosites in other regions of Albania. According to Kubalíková (2013) assessment has to be done based on knowledge and existing detailed inventory of the potential geosites. So this article highlights the current state, their scientific, education, aesthetic and additional values (AV) of the present geosites in Durrës municipality.

This study is carried out based on the opinions of 12 experts (geologists and geographer), who have knowledge especially about these geosites. The experts answered 27 closed questions, estimating each geosite. The questionnaire was designed based on the indicators and subindicators (values) of GAM methodology. This method consists of two sets of values: MV and AV. The MV include scientific/educational values, aesthetic/scenic values and protection values. AV include functional and tourist values. Scientific and educational values VSE consist of 4 sub-indicators proposed by (Pereira 2010, Pereira et al. 2007, Reynard et al. 2007), which cannot be understood by a wide audience without additional components.

Scientific and educational values include the level of rarity, representativeness, knowledge and interpretation (Vujicić et al. 2011). Scenic and aesthetic values VSA are included in the MV, because they are very important over time. This indicator includes viewpoints of sub-indicators, surfaces, surrounding landscapes and environmental fitting of sites. Protection VPr is seen as a main value, because it is an important activity before the promotion and development of tourism as a whole (Vijicić et al. 2011). The features that make geosites to have a high level of protection are current conditions, the level of protection, vulnerability and number of visitors allowed.

AV, are divided into two indicators, functional values VFn and touristic values VTr. Functional values VFn consist of several subindicators, such as accessibility, additional natural values, additional cultural values, distance to emissive centre and vicinity of important roads. These aren’t direct elements of tourism, but directly affect the development of geotourism. Touristic values VTr, assess the current state of tourist services, including promotion, organised visits, vicinity of visitors centre, interpretive panels, number of visitors, tourism infrastructure, tour guide service, hostelry and restaurant service. In this method, there are 12 subindicators of MV in total and 15 subindicators of AV, which can take numerical values : 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 (for more details of model see Vujicić et al. 2011). For determining the MV the following formula is used: MV=VSE+VSA+VPr=∑i=112SIMViku:0≤ SIMVi≤1 \matrix{ {{\rm{MV}} = {\rm{VSE}} + {\rm{VSA}} + {\rm{VPr}} = \sum\nolimits_{i = 1}^{12} {SIM{V_i}ku:} } \cr {0 \le \,SIM{V_i} \le 1} \cr }

The formula that is used to determine the AV is: AV=VFn+VTr=∑j=115SIAVjku:0≤ SIAVj≤1 \matrix{ {{\rm{AV}} = {\rm{VFn}} + {\rm{VTr}} = \sum\nolimits_{j = 1}^{15} {SIA{V_j}ku:} } \cr {0 \le \,SIA{V_j} \le 1} \cr } where: SIMV_i and SIAV_j represent the amount of 12 subindicators (i = 1,..., 12) of MV and the amount of 15 subindicators (j = 1,..., 15) of AV.

Based on the results of quantitative evaluation, a graph is created (Fig. 8), where the MVs are placed on the X-axis and the AVs are placed on the Y-axis. The graph is divided into 9 zones, called Z (i, j), where (i, j = 1,2,3) based on the values they receive from the GAM method. The thickest lines, which create 9 zones, have 4 values for the X-axis, and 5 values for the Y-axis. Passing from zone Z11 to zone Z33, the MV and the AV of geosites increase.

Fig. 8

Based on GAM method, a qualitative assessment has been done for each of the geosites of Durres municipality. Table 1 presents the numerical estimation for indicators and subindicators, for each of geosites. Table 2 presents numerical value of MV and AV. Figure 8 presents the position occupied by each geosite in the graph.

Progress is made in the qualitative evaluation for each of geosites found in Durrës municipality.

Cape of Rodon with its cliff is a special landscape in the territory of our country. It reflects the development of hilly territory from the erosive activity of sea waves, as a part of the coastline, and the activation of the slope process in the upper parts of the slope. The cliff is active and due to continuous development, it threatens to destroy the Cape. Landscape is a typical indicator of the formation of ridges, but hard to explain to non-experts. The cliffs are difficult to view from the roads or paths created, but can be easily and completely observed from the sea. In Albania, Rodon cape and cliffs are natural monuments, the 3rd category of Protected Areas (Zyrtare 2002). To minimise the negative human impact on this natural landscape that is rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage (Skanderbeg castle and the church of St. Ando), it's important not to exceed the accepted and present number of tourists 20–30 persons. The area is located about 59 km from Tirana (emissive centre), as the largest urban centre in Albania. Cape of Rodon can become a part of the tourist guide of the Ionian-Adriatic coast road. The guided tours are organised throughout the year, because the promotion is at the national level. The development of geotourism would be assisted by guides specialised in geosciences, by service packages on tourist trails, toilets, parking spaces, etc. The hostelry and restaurant services available close to Cape of Rodon contribute highly additionally to the geotouristic offer.

St. Peter's Beach has regular geomorphological shape. There is no in-depth studies, despite the fact that St. Peter beach is a good example of the process. The beach of St. Peter covers an area of 200 m² with beautiful view and can be accessed by all types of transports. The beach holds the status of a natural monument. It is frequented by many tourists (beachgoers), especially during the summer season (from May to October). The scientific education is low due to the absence of information tables and professional guides. The presence of restaurants, bars, and hotel increased services in parking lots, toilets, waste bins, etc.

Kallmi beach is of rocky nature, with an area of about 150 m². The process of beach formation is related to the erosion activity of the Adriatic Sea, on the western slope of the hill (mountain) of Durrës. The beach is constantly changing as a result of the activity of sloping processes (slides and landslides) during the periods of intense rainfall and high sea waves of the Adriatic Sea. Kallmi beach is part of the Protected Areas of Albania, as a natural monument or geomonument. Despite the fact that the beach is very close to Durrësi and Tirana, the human impact is low, because there is a lack of road infrastructure and urban construction. Near the beach there are cultural monuments (Durrës amphitheatre, Durrës castle, Rotonda, baths, hamam, Et’hem Bey mosque, etc.), which reveal the cultural tourist potential. The beach is promoted locally, and is mostly visited by the inhabitants of the city of Dyrrah (ancient label). Organised visits are few despite the beach being located near the best service centres of restaurants and hotels. There are no parking lots, rubbish bins and toilets near the beach. The level of scientific interpretation is low.

Kavaja rock is located in the south of Durrës, with a medium-sized surface. No similar landscapes are found in the surrounding territory. Protection and recognition is national, as it is a part of the natural monuments, the third category of Protected Areas. The rock holds spiritual and identifying values for the inhabitants of the city. During the earthquake of November 26, 2019 a part of the rock was damaged from a landslide. The height of the rock, its external features in the form of punches and the presence of vegetation in the upper part give the rock aesthetic value. In the vicinity there are salt springs of Golemas, a natural monument belonging to the Early Christian Basilica of Arapaj. The rock is located about 41 km away from the capital (Tirana), along the Durrës-Kavaja road, which is a national road and a part of the Adriatic-Jonian Road. Kavaja rock is promoted locally. The number of tourists is very less because there is a lack of organised guides. Hotel and restaurant services are very close to the geosite, which complete the geoturistic values.

Cape of Paul is located on the south of bay of Lalëz, with smaller dimensions than the cape of Rodon. The natural landscape is special with small beaches and small cliffs, but it does not enjoy the status of a Protected Area in Albania. Land and water space areas are threatened by pollution from the nearby industrial port and the progression of landslides from the waves of the Adriatic Sea. The cape lacks road infrastructure, which would facilitate the development of geotourism.

What complements the tourist offer is the presence of the Gate Walls (Porto Romano) along the road to Cape Paul. The surface of the cape enables the participation of many tourists, who have to travel not more than 5 km distance from the city centre of Durrës. The partially flat terrain enables the creation of parking spaces, even for bus type vehicles. To visit the whole cape, one has to walk in an almost natural terrain. It is important to note that, one can observe the bay of Lalëz, the cape of Rodon and the bay of Durrës from the highest point of Paul's cape.

Table 2 illustrated the main and addition values of each of geosites of Durres municipality. From the numerical data, it is observed that St. Peter Beach and Kavaja rock have the highest scientific and educational values. The highest scenic and aesthetic values are found in St. Peter Beach. Also, this geosite has the highest protection values. The geosite with the highest functional values is Kallmi beach.

The highest touristic values are in St. Peter's Beach, which is positioned in zone Z32 of the graph. Cape of Rodon, cape of Pali, Kallmi Beach and Kavaja Rock are positioned in the graphic zone Z22, presenting average MV and AV. Paul's Cape is represented by lower MV and AV. This is due to the lack of legal, institutional, and financial protection, but also because of the lack of infrastructure and services.

The municipality of Durrës is characterised by a complexity of geological and geomorphological features, developed throughout the period of Quaternary. Maritime activity, climatic elements, and tectonic activity enabled the presence of capes, sea beaches and rock masses with scientific, educational, and tourist values. Application of GAM method helped to identify the level of geotourism development. The highest and lowest values of geosites are identified by GAM that promote or prevent the development of geotourism in the future.

The Municipality of Durrës is the second urban centre in Albania (afar the capital, Tirana) and has a high population density that should be educated in geoheritage. Tourist trip to Cape of Rodon, with a focus in natural landscape and cultural objects should be accompanied by education about natural processes. Sun and sand tourism on Kallmi beach, St. Peter beach and Cape of Paul, should be integrated with environmental education. Cape of Paul has scenic, aesthetic and functional values, but the level of industrial pollution is high due to the presence of the biggest fuel port in the country. It is important to promote all geosites regardless of their values.

The municipality of Durrës should create additional functional values (brochures, orientation boards, creation of paths, etc.) by including the geosites in its local management planning.