Analysing the landuse planning of ecotourism susceptible areas based on sand dunes in Lut Erg

Mousavi, Sayyed Hojjat

doi:10.22034/gahr.2025.503127.2379

Analysing the landuse planning of ecotourism susceptible areas based on sand dunes in Lut Erg

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sayyed Hojjat Mousavi

Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Tourism, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

10.22034/gahr.2025.503127.2379

Abstract

Sand areas are one of the most important natural spas in arid and semi-arid regions. Their healing properties and effects on improving human health have been confirmed experimentally and in present by numerous studies. Therefore, by identifying the locations and introducing the areas that have this capability, a step can be taken towards ecotourism sustainable development. Lut Desert also has such potential due to its sand area of 9077.772 KM2. Therefore, present study has spatially assessed and analyzed the areas of this Erg that have potential for sand therapy due to sand dunes presence, tourism facilities, access roads, and service centers. First part of study is a review and, based on the previous studies findings, it has investigated wind erosion, explained implementation methods, and properties of sand spas. Second part is an applied type, in which potential sand spa areas in Lut Reg were investigated and identified through spatial data analysis extracted from base maps and satellite images in ArcGIS and Google Earth software’s. Results showed sands originate from wind currents and natural bedrock, and their therapeutic properties are derived from solar energy, pressure force of sand particles, increasing metabolic activity, causing sweating, and clearing the mind. On this basis, the most important sand therapy methods in nature can be classified into sand baths, sand climbing, and sand play. Spatial analysis results showed the area of 1492.95 KM2 of Lut Erg has the maximum land suitability for sand spas, which is spread in two main areas on the northern, eastern, and southern edges of this Erg. Explaining the zoning zones in form of a land suitability map for the sand therapy spa in Lut Erg represents first step in spatial planning towards nature tourism sustainable development and can be a scientific document for managers, planners and nature-oriented tourists.

Keywords

Ecotourism

Sand Spa

Wellness Tourism

Sand Therapy

Lut Erg

Subjects

tourism

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