Assessment of geotourism potential of Harrat Al-Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Geotourism aims at the conservation of geodiversity and the promotion of sustainable tourism of geoheritage sites. It has recently gained significant attention worldwide. Geodiversity within the borders of Saudi Arabia provides great opportunity for geotourism. The volcanic province in the western region, locally known as “Harrat,” represents an element of geodiversity. Therefore, Harrat Al-Madinah, the northern part of “Harrat Rahat” which exemplifies the intracontinental monogenetic type of volcanicity, has been evaluated for geotourism potential. A multi-criteria assessment and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis were employed. The criteria of quantitative assessment include scientific and intrinsic values, educational values, economical values, conservational values, and added values. Five geosites have been identified, evaluated, and compared: Al-Duaythah volcanos, Jebel Nuthaila, Jebel Quraithah, the historical volcano 1256 AD, and the lava field. The first three geosites gained the highest overall score, offering suitable assets of geotourism. Scores of individual assessment criteria were variable depending on scientific significance, degree of accessibility, proximity to touristic services, and level of conservation. The set of strongpoints highlighted by SWOT analysis were based on the geological importance and surface condition of volcanic elements of Harrat Al-Madinah as well as on the availability of essential facilities including road network and accommodation. SWOT analysis has indicated several opportunities related to the tendency of the Saudi government to promote touristic investment and demands for varying resources of national income guided by the 2030 vision. Nevertheless, some constrains have risen due to refraining from unfamiliar style of tourism, tourism competitiveness with the neighboring Gulf countries, and foreseen environmental impacts and hazards.