Acta Geoturistica, vol. 8 (2017), nr. 2, 67-78 DOI 10.1515/agta-2017-0007 Geoheritage and geotourism potential of the Homolje area (eastern Serbia) * ALEKSANDAR ANTIĆ and NEMANJA TOMIĆ University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia (*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]) ABSTRACT The region of Homolje in Eastern Serbia represents an area rich with numerous geological and geomorphological features, especially karst formations which are excellent representatives of this area’s geodiversity. However, the geotourism potential of these geosites still remains fully unrevealed. In this paper we analyzed the most representative ones based mainly on their aesthetic value as well as their geotourism potential. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the geotourism potential of Homolje and to determine its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as interactions between them when it comes to tourism development. The results of the SWOT and TOWS analysis indicate that Homolje as a tourist destination possesses immense geotourism potential but is still in the exploration phase according to the Butler tourist cycle of destination evolution. Research results also identify four different strategies which can be applied as solutions for current problems and for further tourism development. Key words: geoheritage, geotourism, SWOT analysis, TOWS analysis, Homolje, Eastern Serbia. INTRODUCTION Mlava River to the west. The geomorphological unit of Homolje consists As a small geographical area in eastern of two parts: Žagubica Valley to the east Serbia, Homolje is an excellent and Krupaj-Krepoljin Valley to the west representative of rich natural heritage. (Prentović et al., 2016). Within this region there are numerous Research was mainly focused on the geosites with unique diversity, which can natural values of Homolje, but there is also provide authentic and unforgettable a great need to point out significant cultural experience to tourists. Such an environment uniqueness. Ethnographic elements possesses an outstanding opportunity certainly have their impact on the tourist regarding geotourism development. offer of Homolje. It is this impact that links This paper will provide an analysis of the cultural identity of the region with other geoheritage in the Homolje region and it tourist attractions and potentials that it will determine which aspects of geoheritage holds, such as natural, scientific, can be implemented for geotourism educational etc. The geoheritage of this area development. The Homolje area has an mainly consists of a large number of irregular shape of a rectangle that is 35 km unexplored geosites which is one of the key long with its widest point of 26 km. It is issues in this paper related to geotourism surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. potential and development. Information Zvižd area is located in the north, Beljanica about these unexplored areas can be mostly mountain (1336m) is positioned to the obtained from local residents or through south, mountain top Crni vrh (1027m) in participation in mountain hikes with several the east, while the mountain Gornjak mountaineering associations. Current (825m) extends from the lower plains of the infrastructure development is at a very low, © 2017 Aleksandar Antić and Nemanja Tomić. This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/). 67 Acta Geoturistica, vol. 8 (2017), nr. 2, 67-78 basic level, which significantly complicates have exceptional aesthetic value. Landscape road access to certain sites. This must be and nature in the region have a strong improved in the near future, so that any power of attraction for all nature lovers. It kind of development would be possible. It is this high aesthetic value that makes should also be noted that these natural Homolje a unique destination suitable for resources are often not recognized by local geotourism development. The existence of and regional tourism organizations. As good management and sustainable institutional holders of tourism promotion, development in the future should create these organizations are obliged to present conditions for growth and development of all tourist attractions and potentials in the all types of sustainable tourism, including best way possible. geotourism, as well as favorable conditions Geotourism is a relatively new for the application of geoconservation phenomenon based on an old idea and falls measures. within the category of special interest tourism. In simple words, geotourism represents the promotion and protection of STUDY AREA geological heritage through tourism with the help of education and interpretation The Homolje area is located in the karst (Tomić, 2016). At the end of the twentieth region of Eastern Serbia which is very rich century the concept of promotion and with numerous gorges, canyons, waterfalls, interpretation of geological diversity and springs, caves, pits and other karst geological heritage has been presented to a formations. These geosites are excellent much wider audience. In essence, representatives of this area’s geodiversity. geotourism represents a recognition process Among plenty of geosites, we analyzed the and giving a broader meaning to geosites most representative ones based mainly on which should further lead to better and their aesthetic value as well as their more efficient conservation of geoheritage geotourism potential. The analyzed geosites and geosites (Hose, 1997; Hose, 2005). (Figure 1) are described in the following Taking into consideration the original text. approach by Thomas Hose from the mid Gornjak gorge is a landmark that 1990's and by accepting the best aspects of indicates the entrance to Homolje and it is modern approaches and literature, Hose and located between the peaks Mali Vukan (752 Vasiljević (2012) presented this latest m) and Veliki Vukan (825 m) on the right definition of modern geotourism: “The side, and the peak Ježevac (675 m) on the provision of interpretative and service left side of the Mlava River which flows facilities for geosites and geomorphosites through the gorge. The terrain in this area is and their encompassing topography, made out of red sandstone, cretaceous together with their associated in situ and ex flysch and andesite of the Krepoljin zone. situ artefacts, to constituency-build for their In the basin of the Krupaj river, apart from conservation by generating appreciation, limestones, red sandstones are most learning and research by and for current and dominant. Further downstream, the basin is future generations.” made out of Neogene sediments, This main focus of our research is the represented by sandstones, clays and clay geoheritage of Homolje and how the marl (Manojlović et al., 2012). The road to features of some geosites can be used as a the peaks Mali Vukan, Veliki Vukan and tool for intensive development and growth Ježevac includes areas rich in forests, of geotourism. The aim is to present the wildlife and diverse flora. At the gorge potentials of specific geological heritage entrance, from the lower Mlava River, there resources, as well as to perform a detailed are remains of the medieval analysis of their quality. The observed sites metropolitanate, where 400 monks resided 68 Acta Geoturistica, vol. 8 (2017), nr. 1, 67-78 and wrote and copied scriptures. They meter high cascading waterfall. In the last belonged to the Manasija monastery and the few years the waterfall dries up in early famous Resavska school. summer. Downstream from the waterfall, Osanica gorge - The Osanica River 1.5 km away, on the hill above the right which passes through the settlement of bank of the Siga river stands Golubinje Osanica is the right tributary of the Mlava cave, a small cave but with an interesting river. It originates from several smaller speleotourism potential. The cave is in streams which arise below the Homolje walkable distance of about 80 meters. mountains. The Osanica Gorge is located Felješana forest has the status of a strict about 500 m upstream from the settlement nature reserve, and it is only 11 kilometers and it is protected as a natural monument away from Majdanpek. The area of the by the Institute for Nature Conservation of reserve is full of mountain beech, in which Serbia. The gorge covers the left and right some of the trees are 300 years old and over bank of the Osanica river in an area of 30 40 meters high. The reserve was first hectares, starting from the artificial dam protected in 1950. and since then it is state- built on the river. A rich variety of owned under the jurisdiction of the Faculty geomorphological formations, mainly karst of Forestry, University of Belgrade which and hydrology features from Palaeozoic, often organizes research expeditions in this Mesozoic and Cainozoic can be found area (www.zzps.rs). Impressive tourist throughout the area. The gorge itself is attractions in the Felješana forest are Gaura unique in this region as it contains 166 Ursuli karst, Danilo spring, Breza ridge and plant communities including relict canyon of the Crna river. dominant species, 22 bird species and 15 Picnic park Rajkovo and Lake Veliki mammal species (Mirković, 2003). Zaton- The main attraction in this picnic Mlava spring, or Žagubica spring is park is Rajkova cave. Rajkova cave can be located in northern Beljanica, on the top of reached by asphalt road, off the coast of Homolje valley, where Velika Tisnica river Mali Pek river and the artificial lake Veliki flows out of the meander canyon and arises Zaton. From what is known so far, Rajko's into the valley. The system of Mlava spring cave corridors are over 2 kilometers long includes the basin of Žagubica lake and a and divided into a river and a dry horizon. submerged cave system. The Žagubica lake A concrete path leads through a large is 40 meters long and 35 meters wide. It has concert hall and hedgehogs hall.
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