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

Abstract

The Sohodol Gorges has become a location of interest for tourists seeking 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) 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) 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 a qualitative evaluation of the information presented in this study, the authors used a qualitative survey with open questions and closed questions as a data collection method. For data processing and analysis, the EViews version 12.0 software package 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 research results provide a detailed picture of the influence that demographic and behavioral factors have on tourists’ perceptions in the context of post-COVID-19 geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges of 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.

1. Introduction

Tourism represents a sustainable way to shape and develop local economies to transform them into UNESCO International Geoparks and ecotourism destinations [1,2,3,4]. Tourism is considered a tool for promoting resources within a territory, and in this post-COVID-19 context, natural resources contribute to creating new spaces for various recreational activities [5,6]. As a form of post-COVID-19 sustainable tourism, geotourism is primarily focused on experiencing the geological, geomorphological, and landscape features of a territory or tourist areas in a way that motivates knowledge sharing, evaluation, and protection/conservation of the natural and cultural environment, favoring development at the local level [7,8,9,10,11].

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) 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) 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.

The importance of geotourism as a field of tourism has grown over time, leading to the strategic development of geopark networks [12]. The best examples of geopark networks are represented by the European Geopark Network (EGN) and the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), established in 2004 in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) [13,14]. According to Farsani et al. (2014), these networks aim to encourage cooperation and support between geoparks, raise awareness, and promote the heritage of these significant areas [15].

Geoparks represent a sustainable post-COVID-19 product of young and modern geotourism, introducing innovative methods and alternatives for transmitting information and presenting geological and geomorphological heritage. The main objective of geoparks is education; specifically, they promote actions for conserving the natural environment and ecosystems with new knowledge, thereby increasing society’s interest in these geoparks, creating pertinent opinions, and facilitating decision-making [16,17,18]. The research also emphasizes the importance of conducting campaigns to promote geotourist destinations.

The development of post-COVID-19 geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges in the Oltenia region can provide visitors with information on geological elements, spectacular landscapes, and the history of tourists visiting this geotourism destination. Geotourism is thus the foundation for transforming a locality into a geopark [19]. The geodiversity of the Sohodol Gorges reflects the geological actions and events that have occurred throughout its history [20]. Geotourism is a growing branch of nature-based tourism [21,22,23,24,25,26] and is based on green (ecological) tourism, with an appreciable and significant potential to promote and educate on the geological and geomorphological elements of the natural landscape [27,28,29]. This study specifically focuses on geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges, Romania.

Geotourism in the post-COVID-19 pandemic context can be a key factor in developing tourism in the Sohodol Gorges by leveraging untapped tourism potential to reduce poverty within local communities [30], strengthen the rural area economy (Runcu commune) [31], and encourage the conservation of resources, ecosystems, and the environment of the protected area [32,33]. Tourism development in the Sohodol Gorges can be achieved through communication channels and social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok by promoting education, sustainability [34], hiking trails and visits to spectacular landscapes and landforms [35], tourist attractions, and the conservation of local heritage [36,37], resulting in an increase in the overall local population income. As a component of sustainable development, the practice of geotourism must respect the conservation of natural and cultural resources in the Sohodol Gorges, with the necessary consideration of the supporting capacity, for example, the Tourist Area Life Cycle model proposed by Butler in 2022 [38], especially in the rural area of the Runcu commune and in protected areas. Reflecting on the above, the development of geotourism destinations in the post-COVID-19 era must urgently implement sustainable tourism practices to ensure their medium- and long-term viability [39], in our case, the Sohodol Gorges in the South-West Oltenia region, Romania. According to Ivanovic & collaborators (2023), developing post-pandemic sustainable geotourism practices involves implementing laws and guidelines that encourage environmentally responsible and ecologically friendly travel behaviors for protected areas [40].

The originality of this research lies in offering a conceptual model of geotourism development, analyzing the repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 on Global Geoparks, and presenting a practical model, allowing us to investigate specific relationships between demographic variables and tourists’ perceptions of the economic, ecological, and socio-cultural dimensions of geotourism. In addition, this practical model provides a solid basis for analyzing scientific research results, while at the same time contributing to a deeper understanding of how geotourism is perceived in the Sohodol Gorges in the context of the post-pandemic shock induced by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

This research aims to analyze the attitudes and perceptions of Romanian tourists on post-pandemic geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges protected area in the South-West Oltenia region, Romania. Understanding the preferences and attitudes of Romanian tourists is essential to developing effective geotourism promotion strategies in the post-pandemic context and improving the tourist experience when visiting the Sohodol Gorges and the two UNESCO International Geoparks in Romania.

A tourist is a traveler who makes a trip outside his usual environment of residence to a tourist destination, such as a geopark, spa resort, and ecotourism resort, for a period of less than one year and for different purposes such as leisure, relaxation and rest, business, and other personal motivations [41]. The sample encompasses individual Romanian tourists who traveled in the post-COVID-19 era to the Sohodol Gorges at a rate of 2–3 times a year (48%), more than 3 times a year (34%), and only once a year (18%).

2. Theoretical Background

Understanding the characteristics or socio-demographic factors of tourists is vital for developing post-COVID-19 geotourism in the Cheile Sohodolului protected area, in the South-West Oltenia region. Socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, occupation, and environment of origin are determinants of attitudes and behaviors related to the environment and sustainability orientations [42,43]. More recent studies show that although young people have a strong orientation for environmental and sustainability issues [44], older people are the most responsible and have a high ecological attitude and behavior towards the natural environment and sustainability [45]. Visiting a geopark or protected area can be a truly excellent opportunity to spend time with friends or family in a natural ecological environment, and can also contribute to improving social connections and tourists’ physical and mental well-being [46].

Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that tourists’ pro-environmental behavior (TPEB) has a very positive impact on the ecological environment and the protection of natural and cultural heritage, which, at the same time, favors improving the image of geoparks and the competitive advantage of geotourism destinations and protected areas at local, regional, national, and international levels [47]. TPEB is fundamental for the regional and sustainable development of geoparks, protected areas, and rural, urban, coastal, and spa destinations, and it has become a taboo research topic in recent years, both in the academic sphere of researchers and in the tourism sector [48,49,50,51,52]. Studies by Long et al. [53], Zhu et al. [54], Kudla et al. [55], and Xia [56] have mainly focused on the integration of geoparks with scientific tourism and on the importance of the concept of tourist pro-environmental behavior (TPEB) in the protection and conservation of geological and geomorphological resources for the development of post-COVID-19 geotourism, while limited empirical research analyzes and debates the process of forming tourist pro-environmental behavior in geoparks [49,52]. The fragmented debates and dialogues on developing post-COVID-19 geotourism and the environmental conservation of protected areas have mainly addressed national environmental policies and, at the same time, the societal dimensions of geographical education [57,58].

The perception of tourism risk in correlation with epidemics—in this case, the epidemiological and contagious virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)—has intensified, firstly, due to the increase in international tourist flows, and secondly, owing to the movement of a larger number of travelers [59,60,61,62,63]. The perceived risk of the COVID-19 epidemic affects the behavior and attitudes of tourists, especially when it comes to choosing to visit geoparks and other tourist destinations [61,64,65], as mediated by insecurity and concerns about public health [66] and, last but not least, by changes in the image of the tourist destination [67,68].

The first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, marking the COVID-19 outbreak, were detected in Wuhan (China) at the end of December 2019 [69,70]. This highly contagious virus rapidly transformed into a global pandemic, with long-term repercussions for humanity. The biggest challenge, and an extremely serious one for public health in the 21st century, was the unexpected nature of the outbreak. Measures for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 infection included road transport limits; travel bans; border closure restrictions; closing restaurants, schools, offices, and businesses; wearing protective masks; suspending flights to tourist destinations outside Romania; and canceling events such as Christmas fairs [71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82]. The repercussions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus for UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) were evident through the decrease in the number of foreign tourists; the decrease in the income of the geopark employees; the coercion of the managers of hotel units to reduce the number of employees, resulting in an increase in unemployment and reduced working hours; and the cancelation of events such as tourism fairs, gastronomic fairs, and international conferences. The indispensable relationship between geoparks, tourists, and their stakeholders has been threatened by the emergence of COVID-19.

Previous studies have investigated geotourism development in Romania [83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90], including rural tourism, glamping, ecotourism [91,92,93], agrotourism [94,95,96], religious and pilgrimage tourism [97], regional green tourism [98], and oenological tourism [99,100]; nevertheless, the post-COVID-19 development of Sohodol Gorges as a potential geotourism destination has not been considered until now.

The rural environment specific to the Oltenia region offers tourists diverse traditional activities and new opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation in the post-COVID-19 era [101,102]. The natural characteristics of an area tend to be valuable resources that, through their physical and cultural attributes, shape the entire identity of a specific community [103,104,105,106,107]. In this context, geoparks serve as an attractive alternative to urban destinations. The rural landscape in the Oltenia region has experienced various structural problems requiring special attention from the local community, public authorities at the local, regional, and national levels, tourists, and researchers making field visits to preserve the natural environment [108].

Based on the literature review and formulated hypotheses (H1–H12), Figure 1 below presents the conceptual model guiding this research. It captures the relationships between tourists’ socio-demographic characteristics, mediating factors such as pro-environmental behavior and perceived COVID-19 risk, and outcome variables reflecting economic, environmental, and socio-cultural perceptions, as well as behavioral intentions in the Sohodol Gorges.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Study Area

The Sohodol Gorges (Figure 2) is a protected area of national interest that corresponds to the fourth category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (mixed nature reserve). Located in Gorj County, in the administrative territory of the Runcu commune, it is characterized by steep walls dug into the mountain by the valley of the same name. This area is one of the most spectacular natural tourist attractions, exuding charm thanks to the varied limestone formations.

The nature reserve covers an area of 350 hectares [109]. It represents an area of quays excavated in Cretaceous limestone by the waters of the Sohodol River, with spectacular landforms, including sinkholes, canyons, lapis lazuli, caves, and rocky cliffs, and flora and fauna specific to the Southern Carpathians. Areas in category IV aim to protect species of fauna and flora, which, as a rule, are of international, national, or local importance, contributing to the protection of habitats/species.

The modernization of access roads has contributed to the development of geotourism, mountain tourism, and winter sports. The spectacular and diverse natural setting of the region adds to its appeal and attracts a growing number of visitors each year. The mountainous area of the Sohodol Gorges captivates tourists with its striking landscapes, the picturesque forests and meadows that blanket the mountain slopes, and the unique landforms shaped over time.

Analyzing data provided by the NIS [110] on the total number of tourists in the Runcu commune (Figure 3) shows a change over the analyzed period (2010–2024). What is noteworthy is that this change in the total number of tourists was not affected by the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic; on the contrary, the number of tourists increased from 3256 in 2019 to 7309 in 2021. This situation reveals that with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the locality in the analyzed area benefited from the considerable number of tourists who visited the Sohodol Gorges, where the tourists had numerous opportunities for relaxation and rest in the rural area in this geotourist destination (Sohodol Gorges, Oltenia region).

The number of tourists present is one of the most representative indicators of tourist traffic [117,118]. The total number of tourists in the agritourism guesthouses in the administrative territory of the Runcu commune—where the Sohodol Gorges is located—increased between 2010 and 2023: according to the NIS [110], there were 548 tourists in 2010, while in 2023, the total number of tourists in the agritourism guesthouses was 8427 (Figure 4). According to Turtureanu & collaborators (2025), agritourism as a form of tourism has seen substantial growth in the post-pandemic SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) period (2021–2023) [119], being perceived by tourists firstly as a “safe and authentic” form of tourism that supports the sustainable development of the rural population [120], and secondly as a sustainable alternative to mass tourism, due to its ability to offer tourists authentic, traditional, and memorable outdoor experiences, away from the hustle and bustle of urban space [121]. The decrease in the total number of tourists in agritourism guesthouses in 2020 was caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which ushered in countless travel restrictions at the local (Runcu commune), national (Romania), and global levels (i.e., affecting all nations on Earth), 14-day quarantines, and serious health problems, leading to a drastic and irreversible decrease in tourism activities, including agritourism [122].

From 2010 to 2023, the maximum number of agrotourism guesthouses (10) in the Runcu commune was noted in 2018, 2019, and 2023, with the minimum number (2) in 2011, because the Runcu commune was not so developed in that earlier period, compared to the period 2018–2023 (Figure 5).

Sohodol Valley features unique gorges that stretch for 2 km in the Oltenia region. This landscape is characterized by tunnels carved by water in the walls of “Boilers” and “Nostrils”, colorful waterfalls that fall from the slopes only during rainy periods, and the curious and only remaining suspended karst form, known as “Lady’s Ring” (Figure 6) [123], p. 205.

3.2. Data Sources

The authors used a questionnaire structured to achieve the objectives of this study on the development of post-COVID-19 geotourism in Sohodol Gorges, Oltenia region. The questionnaire gathered information on tourists’ perceptions of the impact of post-COVID-19 geotourism on the Sohodol Gorges. Respondents thus had to choose the level of agreement regarding the impact of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges based on the three dimensions, namely economic, environmental, and socio-cultural, using a 5-point Likert scale (1—totally disagree; 5—totally agree) [124].

The respondents recruited for this research were all tourists exclusively from Romania.

Survey data were collected through in-person interviews at strategic locations along the Sohodol Gorges tourist route. The study area spans over 800 acres, and seven key contact points were selected, including trailheads, parking areas, visitor centers, and scenic viewpoints, to capture the main flow of visitors and reflect the diversity of entry and activity zones. These points were chosen based on a preliminary field assessment of visitor movement and congregation patterns.

At each site, a random sampling approach was employed by approaching every third adult visitor, ensuring demographic diversity across age, gender, and travel group type while minimizing selection bias. The spatial distribution of contact points included both high-traffic and quieter sections of the park, allowing the survey to capture a representative spectrum of visitor experiences throughout the Sohodol Gorges. This method enhances the reliability and generalizability of the data, ensuring that findings reflect the perceptions of a broad and diverse sample of tourists rather than a subset concentrated in a single location.

The random sample was generated by inviting every third adult visitor encountered at selected contact points, with data collection spread across weekdays, weekends, and different times of day to account for seasonal and temporal variations. Observed visitor numbers were used to ensure proportional demographic representation. The surveys were administered by the authors through assisted interviews, taking approximately 8–12 min to complete. Visitors were approached at trailheads, parking areas, viewpoints, and the visitor center, either before or after engaging in activities. The refusal rate was approximately 15%, and non-response bias was assessed by comparing observable characteristics of respondents with overall visitor logs, which revealed no significant differences. Although no formal pre-test was conducted, informal piloting was undertaken to refine the questionnaire, and no incentives were offered to participants.

The questionnaire had two sections: the first gathered socio-demographic information about the tourists, and the second focused on data related to the main research objectives. It included several types of questions (Appendix A): dichotomous, semantic scale, closed-ended, demographic (sex, age, and profession), semi-open, and opinion-based.

The data collection phase took place between July and September 2024. The data were collected by administering the questionnaire face-to-face in the Sohodol Gorges, South-West Oltenia region. In total, 457 questionnaires were completed, and 400 valid questionnaires remained after cleaning up the data. The participants were randomly sampled to minimize the potential influence of selection bias on the research outcomes, ensuring the collected data were objective and representative. We also included the following disclaimer in the questionnaire: “All data collected is confidential and will be used strictly for academic purposes”.

The data cleaning process involved removing questionnaires that were partially completed, contained inconsistent or uniform responses (indicating low engagement), or were submitted by individuals not belonging to the target population (e.g., minors under the age of 18). All tourists present in the area were invited to participate voluntarily, and only adults (aged 18 years and older) were included in the final sample. To enable quantitative analysis, all qualitative variables (such as gender, education level, occupation, and origin) were numerically coded; for instance, each education level was assigned a specific numeric value (e.g., 1 = secondary school; 2 = high school; 3 = post-secondary; 4 = higher education), and each age category was also represented numerically. Although variables like “perception” are inherently subjective, they were measured using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” (1) to “strongly agree” (5), making them suitable for regression analysis. This numerical transformation is a standard practice in social science research, facilitating the application of statistical models such as regression and correlation. The interpretation of coefficients in the results refers to these numerical representations.

EViews version 12 software package was used for data processing. EViews facilitates complex statistical analyses such as multiple regressions and calculating correlation coefficients. These techniques were essential for identifying and interpreting relationships between demographic variables and tourists’ perceptions.

EViews is an easy-to-use and innovative software package for analysis, modeling, interpretation, previewing, and statistical forecasting. It facilitates the transfer of statistical data from other software packages, such as Excel or R.

Statistical methods used in this research were as follows:

Pearson correlation coefficient

The Pearson correlation coefficient is used to measure the degree of linear association between two numerical variables. Denoted by “r”, it varies between −1 and 1, where

r = 1 indicates a perfect positive correlation;

r = −1 indicates a perfect negative correlation;

r = 0 indicates no linear correlation.

According to Schober, Boer, and Schwarte (2018) [125], the Pearson correlation coefficient is frequently used in statistical analysis to assess linear relationships between numerical variables. The formula for the correlation coefficient is as follows [125]:

$$\mathrm{r}={\displaystyle \frac{\sum (x_i-\overline{\mathrm{x}})(y_i-\overline{\mathrm{y}})}{\sqrt{\sum {(x_i-\overline{\mathrm{x}})}^2}{\sum (y_i-\overline{\mathrm{y}})}^2}}$$

where $x_i\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}{y}_i$ represent the values of each observation for the variables X and Y, and $\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\overline{\mathrm{y}}$ are the averages of the variables X and Y.

Multiple regression analysis

Multiple regression analysis is used to assess the simultaneous effects of several independent variables on a dependent variable. In this case, the aim was to determine how the variables gender, level of education, and mode of travel influence perceptions of dependent variables, such as destination recommendation and perception of traffic congestion. According to Field (2013) and Tabachnick and Fidell (2019), multiple regression is commonly used in social research for analyzing complex relationships between variables [126,127].

The multiple regression model follows the general formula

$$\mathrm{Y}={\mathsf{\beta }}_0+{\mathsf{\beta }}_1{\mathrm{x}}_1+{\mathsf{\beta }}_2{\mathrm{x}}_2+\cdots +{\mathsf{\beta }}_n{\mathrm{x}}_n+\mathsf{ϵ}$$

where $x_i\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}{y}_i$ represent the values of each observation for variables X and Y, and $\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\overline{\mathrm{y}}$ are the means of the variables X and Y; Y is the dependent variable; ${\mathsf{\beta }}_0$ is the intercept; ${\mathsf{\beta }}_1,{\mathsf{\beta }}_2,\dots ,{\mathsf{\beta }}_n$ are the regression coefficients that indicate the expected change in Y when the independent variables change by one unit; $x_1,x_2,\dots ,x_n$ are the independent variables; and ϵ is the prediction error (residuals).

We used the least squares method to calculate the regression coefficients and evaluate their statistical significance. According to Wooldridge (2020), this minimizes the sum of the squares of the prediction errors [128].

Each β\betaβ coefficient has an associated p-value indicating its statistical significance. If p < 0.05, then the coefficient is considered statistically significant, suggesting that the independent variable influences the dependent variable [129].

These two complementary methods facilitated a detailed and objective analysis of how demographic variables and tourist behaviors influence perceptions of the impact of geotourism, providing a solid basis for interpreting the results and testing the hypotheses proposed in the research.

It is important to note that independent and dependent variables were collected simultaneously, which may introduce common method bias.

3.3. Analyzing Research Hypotheses

The research hypothesis is the most important tool in scientific research, as it is a hypothetical statement that predicts the existence of concurrent relationships between certain variables (at least two).

This set of hypotheses highlights the correlations between and influences of different demographic variables and tourists’ perceptions on the impact of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges. Each hypothesis proposes a relationship between variables, which is tested to verify whether factors such as age, education level, gender, background, and occupation influence geotourism perceptions.

They provide a solid basis for analyzing and interpreting the research results, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of how geotourism is perceived in the Sohodol Gorges in the post-pandemic context.

Hypothesis 1. 

Tourists who are younger and have a higher level of education are more likely to perceive geotourism as generating positive economic opportunities and promoting local business diversification in the Sohodol Gorges.

Previous research shows that demographic factors such as age and education can significantly shape tourists’ perceptions of the economic benefits of tourism.

Ryan and Glendon (1998) found that younger tourists are often more economically active and open to diversification initiatives [130].

Similarly, Pearce (1988) demonstrated that age and education levels influence how tourists view the tourism economy [131]. More educated individuals are typically more aware of tourism’s broader economic implications, including its potential to create jobs and support sustainable development. Younger tourists, being generally more receptive to innovation, may also recognize emerging benefits more quickly.

Geotourism provides concrete opportunities for community development, particularly through local entrepreneurship and business growth.

This study tests whether tourists’ age and education affect these perceptions, with the goal of identifying demographic groups that are most likely to support or drive sustainable tourism development in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 2. 

Female tourists and those from rural areas are more likely to perceive geotourism as a factor that increases the prices of accommodation and traditional local products in the Sohodol Gorges.

Demographic characteristics such as gender and environment of origin can significantly shape how tourists perceive economic changes brought by tourism. Cohen (1972) found that tourists from rural environments are more sensitive to price increases, while urban tourists tend to be more accustomed to higher costs [132]. Mattila (1999) also showed that women tend to be more price-conscious and concerned with economic value when assessing services [133].

In the context of geotourism, perceived increases in the cost of accommodation and local traditional products (such as handmade crafts, local food, or souvenirs representative of the region) may vary based on these demographic factors. This hypothesis aims to identify whether gender and background influence how tourists interpret the affordability and accessibility of geotourism services and products in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 3. 

Younger tourists and those working in environmental or tourism-related fields are more likely to perceive geotourism as harmful to the natural environment and to emphasize the need for environmentally responsible and balanced development in the Sohodol Gorges.

Research shows that age and professional background significantly influence environmental awareness. Stern (2000) and Dunlap et al. (2008) demonstrated that younger individuals, often recently exposed to environmental education, are more concerned about sustainability and ecological impacts [134,135]. Likewise, Inglehart (1997) emphasized that environmental concern is more prevalent among younger generations [136].

Regarding occupation, those employed in tourism or environmental fields tend to be more sensitive to the effects of tourism on ecosystems and more supportive of sustainable practices. In this context, the concept of “harmonious development” refers to geotourism initiatives that integrate environmental protection with local development, ensuring minimal ecological damage while supporting the local economy and cultural heritage.

This hypothesis tests whether perceptions of environmental impact and the demand for sustainability are more pronounced among younger and environmentally involved tourists, offering insights into targeted awareness and education strategies.

Hypothesis 4. 

Tourists from urban areas and with higher education levels are more likely to perceive biodiversity protection as essential in geotourism development within protected areas such as the Sohodol Gorges.

Previous studies show that tourists with higher education and urban backgrounds generally have greater access to ecological information and a stronger concern for environmental protection. Stern (2000) and Dunlap et al. (2008) found that people with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in environmental behaviors and support biodiversity conservation initiatives [134,135].

Inglehart (1997) further emphasized that urban environments foster greater exposure to environmental awareness campaigns and conservation practices [136]. In contrast, tourists from rural areas or with lower education levels may have limited access to such resources, resulting in weaker perceptions of the need for biodiversity protection.

This hypothesis aims to explore whether these differences are reflected in the way tourists value biodiversity in protected areas like the Sohodol Gorges, and to inform environmental education strategies targeting broader visitor groups.

Hypothesis 5. 

Female tourists and those with higher levels of education are more likely to perceive road traffic congestion caused by geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges as negatively impacting the quality of the tourist experience.

Research suggests that demographic characteristics influence the way tourists perceive infrastructure-related challenges. Mattila (1999) found that female tourists tend to prioritize comfort and safety during travel experiences [133], which may lead to increased sensitivity to road congestion. Similarly, Stern (2000) and Dunlap et al. (2008) observed that individuals with higher education levels tend to be more aware of the broader environmental and infrastructural impacts of tourism [134,135].

Road traffic congestion is a common concern in nature-based tourist destinations. While some tourists may overlook it as a minor inconvenience, others—especially women and more educated individuals—may associate it with poor planning and diminished quality of experience. This hypothesis aims to explore whether such demographic differences shape perceptions of congestion and, indirectly, visitor satisfaction in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 6. 

Older tourists are more likely to perceive overcrowding in public spaces and inadequate infrastructure as negative impacts of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges compared to younger tourists, who are generally more tolerant of these issues.

Age plays an important role in shaping tourist perceptions of crowding and infrastructure development. Pearce (1988) and Ryan & Glendon (1998) suggest that older tourists place higher importance on comfort, organization, and personal space during their travel experiences [130,131]. Younger tourists, on the other hand, are generally more adaptable and less bothered by crowded environments or underdeveloped facilities.

In geotourism destinations such as the Sohodol Gorges, where visitor numbers can create pressure on local infrastructure, these generational differences may lead to contrasting perceptions. This hypothesis explores whether age-related expectations influence how tourists assess the negative effects of overcrowding and the adequacy of infrastructure, contributing to the planning of more inclusive and responsive tourism strategies.

Hypothesis 7. 

Tourists from urban areas and those with higher levels of education are more likely to perceive geotourism as having a positive impact on the preservation and promotion of local cultural identity in the Sohodol Gorges.

Studies on cultural tourism highlight that individuals with higher education and urban backgrounds are generally more sensitive to cultural authenticity and the preservation of local heritage. Cohen (1972) and McKercher & du Cros (2002) found that such tourists tend to critically evaluate cultural transformations and support efforts to maintain cultural identity [132,137].

In contrast, rural or less educated tourists may have different frames of reference and may not perceive tourism’s cultural influence with the same intensity or nuance. This hypothesis aims to identify whether these demographic factors significantly shape tourists’ cultural perceptions in geotourism contexts like the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 8. 

Tourists working in professions that involve frequent social interaction are more likely to perceive geotourism as intensifying meaningful socio-cultural interactions with locals in the Sohodol Gorges.

Geotourism fosters interactions between visitors and host communities, but the way tourists perceive these exchanges often depends on their professional background. Research by Cohen (1972) and Pearce (1982) suggests that tourists from communication-oriented fields are more open to and value cultural interactions [132,138].

Individuals in education, social work, or healthcare may be more receptive to interpersonal experiences and more likely to perceive cultural exchange as enriching. In contrast, tourists from technical or administrative fields may engage less with locals or place less importance on such experiences.

This hypothesis aims to identify whether the nature of one’s occupation influences how tourists value socio-cultural interactions, which are a core component of authentic geotourism experiences in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 9. 

Older tourists are slightly more likely to visit the Sohodol Gorges more frequently, while younger tourists tend to prefer more independent modes of travel in the post-pandemic context.

Although previous research by Pearce (1988) and Ryan & Glendon (1998) suggests that younger tourists tend to be more spontaneous, adventurous, and inclined toward frequent and independent travel [130,131], the data from this study revealed a different trend: older tourists visit the Sohodol Gorges slightly more frequently. This may be due to factors such as increased free time, greater attachment to nature-based destinations, and routine travel preferences developed over time.

However, the expected pattern regarding travel mode remains valid: younger tourists continue to prefer independent travel styles, such as solo or group travel with friends, whereas older tourists show a greater preference for organized trips.

This hypothesis aims to clarify how age shapes both the frequency and manner of travel to geotourism destinations in the post-COVID-19 era, providing useful insights for tailoring tourism services to different age groups.

Hypothesis 10. 

Female tourists are more likely to choose safe and well-documented post-pandemic destinations based on official online sources, while male tourists tend to prefer adventure-oriented destinations and rely more on informal sources such as recommendations from friends.

Gender and information sources are two major factors influencing post-pandemic travel decision-making. Mattila (1999) and Cohen (1972) highlighted that women prioritize safety and comfort, often seeking detailed information through official or curated digital platforms [132,133]. In contrast, men tend to prefer risk, novelty, and informal decision-making tools like peer recommendations.

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the role of digital media and risk perception in tourism. Ryan & Glendon (1998) emphasize that the type of information source (formal vs. informal) strongly shapes destination choice, especially when health, safety, and mobility are factors of concern [130].

This hypothesis investigates whether gender-related travel motivations align with distinct types of information sources, providing insight into how travel marketing and geotourism communication strategies can be better tailored in the post-pandemic context.

Hypothesis 11. 

Tourists with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in educational geotourism activities such as geological exploration, especially during spring and autumn, while less educated tourists prefer recreational or adventure-based activities that are more common in the summer season.

Previous research has shown that both seasonality and education level play key roles in shaping geotourism behavior. According to Ryan & Glendon (1998), tourists with higher education levels tend to favor cultural and educational activities, particularly in spring or autumn, when weather conditions are more favorable for interpretation-focused experiences [130].

On the other hand, tourists with a lower level of education may be more inclined toward leisure or adventure-based activities such as hiking or caving, which are often associated with summer. Cohen (1972) supports this distinction by noting that less educated tourists prioritize entertainment and relaxation, whereas more educated individuals seek knowledge-based travel [132].

This hypothesis tests whether these patterns are observable in the Sohodol Gorges and how seasonality and education level interact to shape tourist activity preferences.

Hypothesis 12. 

Tourists working in liberal or creative professions and those traveling with family or organized groups are more likely to recommend the Sohodol Gorges to others compared to tourists traveling alone or from more technical occupational fields.

Tourist recommendation behavior is closely linked to overall satisfaction and how well the travel experience matches personal values and expectations. Cohen (1972) and Ryan & Glendon (1998) observed that tourists from different occupational backgrounds evaluate destinations differently, with liberal or creative professionals being more engaged by authentic and unique experiences [130,132].

Travel mode also matters: Those who travel with organized groups or family often report smoother and more positive experiences, while solo travelers may notice more flaws and be more critical in post-visit evaluations. Tourists traveling with partners or families place greater value on social bonding and shared satisfaction, which increases their likelihood of recommending a destination [133,139,140,141,142].

This hypothesis seeks to understand how occupation and travel mode interact with perceived satisfaction and the resulting word-of-mouth recommendation behavior for the Sohodol Gorges.

Table 1. Assigning variables for each hypothesis.

Number	Variables
H1	Age_category Study_level Economic_impact_opportunities Business_economic_impact
H2	Sex Economic_impact_price_increase Provenance_environment
H3	Age_category Occupation Environmental_impact_damage Impact_environment_harmony
H4	Provenance_environment Study_level Impact_environment_protection_diversity
H5	Sex Study_level Impact_socio_cultural_traffic
H6	Occupation Age_category Impact_socio_cultural_infrastructure Impact_socio_overcrowding
H7	Socio_cultural_impact_cultural_identity Provenance_environment Study_level
H8	Sex Occupation Impact_socio_cultural_interactions
H9	Age_category Travel_mode Sohodol_Gorges_frequency
H10	Sex Information_sources Post_pandemic_destinations
H11	Season Education_level Geotourism_activities
H12	Occupation Travel_mode Destination_recommendation

Source: elaboration by authors.

provides a clear structure of the variables used for each hypothesis in the research. Here, the relevant variables for each hypothesis are assigned, facilitating the statistical analysis of the relationships between the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their perceptions of the impact of geotourism. This organization allows appropriate statistical analysis methods to be applied for each hypothesis so that the correlations and influences between the variables can be evaluated.

Table 2. Assigning a statistical method for testing each hypothesis.

Hypothesis	Statistical Method Used
H1. Younger and more educated tourists are more likely to perceive geotourism as generating positive economic opportunities and promoting local business diversification in the Sohodol Gorges.	Multiple regression analysis
H2. Female tourists and those from rural areas are more likely to perceive geotourism as increasing prices for accommodation and traditional local products.	Multiple regression analysis
H3. Younger tourists and those working in environmental or tourism-related fields are more likely to perceive geotourism as harmful to the natural environment and emphasize the need for sustainable development.	Multiple regression analysis
H4. Urban tourists and those with higher levels of education are more likely to support biodiversity protection in geotourism development within protected areas.	Multiple regression analysis
H5. Female tourists and those with higher levels of education are more likely to perceive road traffic congestion caused by geotourism as negatively impacting the quality of the tourist experience.	Multiple regression analysis
H6. Older tourists are more likely to perceive overcrowding in public spaces and inadequate infrastructure as negative impacts of geotourism compared to younger tourists, who are more tolerant of these issues.	Pearson correlation coefficient
H7. Urban tourists and those with higher education are more likely to perceive geotourism as positively contributing to the preservation and promotion of local cultural identity.	Multiple regression analysis
H8. Tourists working in professions that involve frequent social interaction are more likely to perceive geotourism as intensifying meaningful socio-cultural interactions with locals.	Pearson correlation coefficient
H9. Older tourists are slightly more likely to visit the Sohodol Gorges more frequently, while younger tourists tend to prefer more independent modes of travel in the post-pandemic context.	Pearson correlation coefficient
H10. Female tourists are more likely to choose safe, well-documented post-pandemic destinations using official online sources, while male tourists prefer adventurous destinations and rely more on informal sources.	Multiple correlation coefficient
H11. Tourists with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in educational geotourism activities in spring and autumn, while less educated tourists prefer recreational or adventure activities in summer.	Multiple correlation coefficient
H12. Tourists in liberal or creative professions and those traveling with family or in organized groups are more likely to recommend the Sohodol Gorges compared to solo travelers or those from technical fields.	Multiple correlation coefficient

Source: data processed by the authors in Microsoft Excel 2010.

assigns the statistical methods used to test each research hypothesis. Multiple regression analysis was used for most of the hypotheses (H1–H5, H7, and H10–H12), given that this method facilitates the assessment of relationships between several independent variables and a dependent variable. For hypotheses H6, H8, and H9, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the linear association between two numerical variables, being a suitable method for evaluating simpler associations between the analyzed variables.

3.4. Variables Used in the Research

To achieve the research objectives, each question in the questionnaire was associated with a specific variable used in the analysis to test the formulated hypotheses.

These variables were organized to cover different aspects of the impact of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges, including demographic, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural variables (

Table 3. Assigning variables for each question in the questionnaire.

Ref. No.	Question	Variable
1.	Your gender?	Sex
2.	What age group do you fall into?	Age_category
3.	Where are you from?	Medium_provenance
4.	Level of completed studies?	Study_level
5.	Your occupation?	Occupation
	Economic impacts
6.	Economic impacts [geotourism increases opportunities in the development of the local economy (employment and investment)]	Economic_impact_opportunities
7.	Economic impacts [geotourism stimulates an increase in prices in accommodation units and traditional products]	Economic_impact_price_increase
8.	Economic impacts [geotourism diversifies businesses for locals]	Business_economic_impact
	Impacts on the environment
9.	Environmental impacts [geotourism causes damage to the natural environment of ecosystem development and rural environment]	Environmental_impact_damage
10.	Environmental impacts [the natural diversity of the protected area must be exploited and protected to reduce environmental impacts]	Impact_environment_protection_diversity
11.	Impacts on the environment [geotourism must be developed in harmony with the natural and cultural environments of the protected area]	Impact_environment_harmony
	Socio-cultural impacts
12.	Socio-cultural impacts [the development of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges increases road traffic congestion]	Impact_socio_cultural_traffic
13.	Socio-cultural impacts [geotourism in Sohodol Gorges causes overcrowding of public and leisure spaces]	Impact_socio_supraaglomerarr
14.	Socio-cultural impacts [the development of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges would improve the quality of roads and recreational spaces]	Impact_socio_cultural_infrastructure
15.	Socio-cultural impacts [geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges has a positive impact on the cultural identity of the local population]	Impact_socio_cultural_identity_cultural
16.	Socio-cultural impacts [geotourism intensifies socio-cultural interactions between tourists and locals and between hotel managers and tourists]	Impact_socio_cultural_interactions
17.	Where have you traveled post-COVID-19 pandemic?	Post_pandemic_destinations
18.	How often have you traveled to Sohodol Gorges post-COVID-19 pandemic?	Frequency_Sohodol_Gorges
19.	How did you most commonly travel in the Sohodol Gorges following the COVID-19 pandemic?	Travel_mode
20.	What is the season to visit the Sohodol Gorges?	Season
21.	What sources of information do you use to document yourself about the Sohodol Gorges?	Information_sources
22.	What geotourism activities have you carried out post-COVID-19 pandemic in Sohodol Gorges?	Geotourism_activities
23.	On a scale of 1 to 5, how likely are you to recommend Sohodol Gorges to others?	Recommend_destination

Source: data processed by the authors in Microsoft Excel 2010.

).

Table 3 presents the allocation of variables for each question in the questionnaire, structured according to the main themes: demography, economic impacts, environmental impacts, and socio-cultural impacts. For each question, a specific variable used in the statistical analysis was assigned to test the hypotheses formulated in the research.

Correlations between the selected variables were expected based on findings from previous studies on geotourism and sustainable tourism, which indicate that demographic factors such as age, education, and occupation often shape tourists’ perceptions and behaviors. For instance, more educated individuals are generally more environmentally aware, and younger tourists may perceive tourism impacts differently than older ones. The hypotheses were therefore formulated to reflect potential associations between socio-demographic profiles and attitudes toward geotourism development.

4. Results

4.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics

The data presented in the research study indicate that 177 (44.25%) male and 223 (55.75%) female respondents were surveyed.

According to the distribution of respondents, 167 people, i.e., 41.75%, were in the 31–45-year-old category. The 46–65-year-old category included 120 respondents (30%), and the 18–30-year-old category contained 75 people (18.75%). Those over 65 years of age were the least represented, with 38 respondents (9.5%). A total of 153 (38.25%) of the respondents came from rural areas, while 247 respondents (61.75%) came from urban areas.

Regarding the level of education completed, the majority of respondents (325 people, i.e., 81.25%) were highly educated (bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate). The number of people with secondary, high school, or post-secondary education was much smaller, with only eight respondents (2%) having a secondary-school education, 45 (11.25%) having a high-school education, and 22 (5.5%) having a post-secondary education.

The majority of respondents were employed (243 people, i.e., 60.75%), followed by students (64 people, 16%) and retirees (45 people, 11.25%). A smaller number of respondents were self-employed (37 people, 9.25%) or unemployed (11 people, 2.75%).

Table 4. Socio-demographic characteristics of the sample.

Characteristics	Categories	n	%
Sex	Male	177	44.25
	Female	223	55.75
Age range	18–30	75	18.75
	31–45	167	41.75
	46–65	120	30
	>65	38	9.5
Residence	Rural	153	38.25
	Urban	247	61.75
Education	Secondary-school studies	45	11.25
	High school studies	22	5.5
	Post-secondary studies	8	2
	Higher education (bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate)	325	81.25
Occupation	Student	64	16
	Employed	243	60.75
	Unemployed	11	2.75
	Self-employed	37	9.25
	Retiree	45	11.25

Source: data processed by authors using Microsoft Excel, 2010.

outlines the socio-demographic characteristics of the sample. A total of 400 employees participated in the survey in July and September 2024 (highlighted with the caption “Attitudes and perceptions of Romanian tourists on the development of post-pandemic geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges protected area in the South-West Oltenia region”).

4.2. Questionnaire Results

This research was conducted to assess whether the relationships identified between the variables are statistically significant and to draw conclusions on how demographic factors influence tourists’ perceptions in the context of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 1. 

Tourists who are younger and have a higher level of education are more likely to perceive geotourism as generating positive economic opportunities and promoting local business diversification in the Sohodol Gorges.

The regression results partially confirm this hypothesis. The level of education and the perception of local business diversification both significantly influence tourists’ perceptions of the economic opportunities generated by geotourism.

The coefficient for education level is 0.568877 and statistically significant (p = 0.0000), indicating that tourists with higher education are more likely to perceive geotourism as a generator of economic opportunities. Similarly, the perception of the economic impact of local business diversification is also significant (coefficient = 0.228818, p = 0.0000), showing a positive relationship between recognizing business diversification and perceiving broader economic benefits.

However, age does not have a statistically significant influence (coefficient = −0.115688, p = 0.1539), which suggests that younger tourists do not differ significantly from older ones in how they perceive the economic potential of geotourism.

The model’s performance is modest, with an R-squared value of 0.153663, meaning that around 15.37% of the variance in perceived economic opportunities can be explained by education level and perception of business diversification. Although age was included as a variable, its influence was not statistically significant in this case (Appendix B).

Hypothesis 2. 

Female tourists and those from rural areas are more likely to perceive geotourism as a factor that increases the prices of accommodation and traditional local products in the Sohodol Gorges.

The regression analysis results do not fully support this hypothesis. While the model is statistically significant overall (Prob(F) = 0.0043), the individual variables—gender and environment of origin—do not have a significant effect on tourists’ perceptions regarding price increases caused by geotourism.

More specifically, the gender variable has a negative coefficient (−0.737659) and a p-value of 0.0560, which, though close to the conventional 0.05 threshold, does not reach statistical significance. This suggests that female tourists are not significantly more likely than males to perceive price increases as a negative consequence of geotourism.

Similarly, the environment of origin (urban vs. rural) shows no significant effect (coefficient = 0.151587, p = 0.3167), indicating that rural tourists are not more sensitive to perceived price increases than urban tourists. Furthermore, the interaction effect between gender and the environment of origin is also not significant (coefficient = 0.294410, p = 0.1969), meaning that the combined influence of these two demographic variables does not significantly affect the perception of increased prices.

The R-squared value of the model is 0.0326, meaning that only 3.26% of the variation in perceived price increases is explained by the included variables. This indicates that other factors not captured in the current model likely play a more important role in shaping tourists’ perceptions about pricing (Appendix C).

Overall, although the model as a whole is statistically valid, the hypothesis is not supported by the data, as neither gender nor environment of origin significantly influences perceptions of price increases due to geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges.

Hypothesis 3. 

Younger tourists and those working in environmental or tourism-related fields are more likely to perceive geotourism as harmful to the natural environment and to emphasize the need for environmentally responsible and balanced development in the Sohodol Gorges.

The regression analysis does not confirm this hypothesis. The results indicate that neither age nor occupation significantly influences tourists’ perception of environmental damage caused by geotourism.

The age variable has a negative coefficient (−0.047056) and a p-value of 0.5532, suggesting no statistically significant relationship between tourist age and perception of environmental harm. This means that younger tourists are not necessarily more critical of the environmental effects of geotourism than older ones.

Similarly, occupation—specifically working in environmental or tourism-related fields—does not significantly affect these perceptions (coefficient = 0.091445, p = 0.1126). This indicates that professionals in these areas do not show stronger concern than those from unrelated fields.

However, the model highlights a strong and significant influence of one factor: the perception of harmonious development with the environment (coefficient = 0.314804, p = 0.0000). Tourists who believe in the importance of environmentally responsible development are significantly more likely to perceive geotourism as causing environmental damage—suggesting that environmental values and awareness, rather than age or occupation alone, are the key drivers of concern.

The overall model is statistically significant (Prob(F) = 0.0000), but with a moderate explanatory power (R-squared = 0.1622), showing that only 16.22% of the variation in perceptions of environmental damage can be explained by the included variables. Other psychological or experiential factors may contribute more meaningfully to shaping these views (Appendix D).

In summary, the hypothesis is not supported by the data, as neither younger tourists nor those employed in relevant sectors perceive geotourism as significantly more harmful to the environment compared to other groups. Instead, perceptions are more closely tied to tourists’ environmental attitudes.

Hypothesis 4. 

Tourists from urban areas and with higher education levels are more likely to perceive biodiversity protection as essential in geotourism development within protected areas such as the Sohodol Gorges.

The regression analysis partially confirms this hypothesis. Among the two demographic factors analyzed, only the level of education was found to have a significant influence on the perception of the importance of protecting biodiversity.

More precisely, the education level has a positive and statistically significant coefficient (0.534794, p = 0.0000), which indicates that tourists with a higher level of education are more likely to consider biodiversity protection essential in geotourism development. This aligns with prior studies suggesting that educated individuals tend to be more aware of ecological values and conservation priorities.

By contrast, the environment of origin (urban vs. rural) does not significantly influence tourists’ perception regarding biodiversity protection (coefficient = 0.100527, p = 0.3549). This result challenges the common assumption that urban tourists are more environmentally conscious than those from rural areas.

The model is statistically significant overall (Prob(F) = 0.0000), which confirms that the independent variables collectively influence perceptions. However, the model’s explanatory power is modest, with an R-squared value of 0.1424, meaning that only 14.24% of the variation in the perception of biodiversity protection is explained by the variables included. This suggests that additional factors—such as personal environmental values, travel experience, and exposure to conservation education—may further shape tourists’ views on biodiversity in protected areas (Appendix E).

Hypothesis 5. 

Female tourists and those with higher levels of education are more likely to perceive road traffic congestion caused by geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges as negatively impacting the quality of the tourist experience.

The regression analysis partially supports this hypothesis. Of the two variables analyzed, only the level of education was found to significantly influence tourists’ perception of road traffic congestion as a negative impact of geotourism.

The results show that education level has a positive and statistically significant coefficient (p = 0.0000). This suggests that tourists with higher education levels are more aware of or sensitive to the issue of road congestion, likely due to their broader understanding of infrastructure challenges and their effect on the overall tourist experience. This finding supports the idea that education enhances tourists’ critical evaluation of environmental and infrastructural issues in geotourism areas.

In contrast, gender does not significantly influence the perception of traffic congestion (p = 0.2986), indicating that both men and women perceive this issue similarly. This result contrasts with previous assumptions that female tourists may be more concerned with comfort and safety, particularly in transportation-related contexts.

The model is statistically significant (Prob(F) = 0.0000), confirming that the explanatory variables have an overall effect on the dependent variable. However, the model’s predictive power remains modest, with an R-squared value of 0.1166, meaning that only 11.66% of the variation in perceived traffic congestion is explained by gender and education. This indicates that other unobserved variables—such as time of visit, personal tolerance to crowds, or travel experience—may also contribute to shaping these perceptions (Appendix F).

Hypothesis 6. 

Older tourists are more likely to perceive overcrowding in public spaces and inadequate infrastructure as negative impacts of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges compared to younger tourists, who are generally more tolerant of these issues.

The results of the covariance analysis offer limited support for this hypothesis. The correlation between age and the perception of overcrowding in public spaces is positive but weak (coefficient = 0.2211), suggesting that older tourists are somewhat more likely to notice and be affected by crowding. However, the strength of this relationship is not statistically significant, which limits the extent to which this trend can be generalized.

Regarding the perception of infrastructure improvement, the correlation with age is very weak (coefficient = 0.1022), indicating that age does not play a substantial role in shaping how tourists evaluate improvements in tourism infrastructure. This result contrasts with previous research that has shown older tourists often place more value on comfort and well-developed infrastructure.

Although a slight tendency exists for older tourists to be more sensitive to overcrowding, the data do not therefore provide strong statistical evidence to support a significant association between age and the perception of either overcrowding or infrastructure adequacy (Appendix G).

Hypothesis 7. 

Tourists from urban areas and those with higher levels of education are more likely to perceive geotourism as having a positive impact on the preservation and promotion of local cultural identity in the Sohodol Gorges.

The results support this hypothesis, showing that both the environment of origin and the level of education significantly influence how tourists perceive the cultural impact of geotourism. Specifically, tourists from urban areas tend to perceive geotourism as having a more positive effect on the preservation and promotion of local cultural identity (coefficient = 0.3952, p = 0.0098). Likewise, a higher level of education is associated with increased awareness of geotourism’s role in sustaining cultural heritage (coefficient = 0.3389, p = 0.0006).

Although both variables are statistically significant, the explanatory power of the model remains limited. The R-squared value is only 0.0568, indicating that just 5.68% of the variation in tourists’ perceptions can be explained by the model, and that other factors likely contribute to shaping these views (Appendix H).

Hypothesis 8. 

Tourists working in professions that involve frequent social interaction are more likely to perceive geotourism as intensifying meaningful socio-cultural interactions with locals in the Sohodol Gorges.

The results do not provide statistical support for this hypothesis. The correlation coefficient between occupation and the perception of socio-cultural interactions is negative and weak (coefficient = −0.1204), indicating that tourists working in socially interactive professions are not significantly more likely to perceive enhanced interactions with locals.

This weak and statistically insignificant association suggests that occupation, as defined in this study, does not play a major role in shaping tourists’ views on the intensity or value of socio-cultural exchanges fostered by geotourism (Appendix I).

Hypothesis 9. 

Older tourists are slightly more likely to visit the Sohodol Gorges more frequently, while younger tourists tend to prefer more independent modes of travel in the post-pandemic context.

The results provide only partial support for this hypothesis. A weak positive correlation (coefficient = 0.1916) was observed between age and visit frequency, suggesting that older tourists tend to visit the Sohodol Gorges slightly more often. While this trend aligns with the hypothesis, the strength of the relationship is limited, and the association is not strong enough to indicate a definitive behavioral pattern.

In contrast, the correlation between age and travel mode is almost negligible (coefficient = 0.0159), showing that age has little or no impact on how tourists choose to travel. However, the moderate positive correlation between travel mode and visit frequency (coefficient = 0.4944) indicates that tourists who travel in organized groups are more likely to be repeat visitors.

These findings suggest that while older tourists may visit more frequently, age alone does not meaningfully influence travel preferences. Instead, the way tourists choose to travel appears to be a stronger factor in determining visit frequency (Appendix J).

Hypothesis 10. 

Female tourists are more likely to choose safe and well-documented post-pandemic destinations based on official online sources, while male tourists tend to prefer adventure-oriented destinations and rely more on informal sources such as recommendations from friends.

The results of the regression analysis do not provide statistical support for this hypothesis. Although the coefficient for gender is positive (+0.0189), the associated p-value (p = 0.3800) indicates that this effect is not statistically significant. Similarly, the influence of information sources on destination choice is negative (coefficient = −0.0109), but this effect is also not significant (p = 0.1484).

The R-squared value of 0.0067 suggests that only 0.67% of the variation in post-pandemic destination choice is explained by the variables gender and information sources. Furthermore, the model itself is not statistically significant (Prob(F) = 0.2650), indicating that these factors have minimal explanatory power in this context.

In conclusion, the data do not confirm a meaningful influence of either gender or information source on tourists’ destination choices following the COVID-19 pandemic (Appendix K).

Hypothesis 11. 

Tourists with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in educational geotourism activities such as geological exploration, especially during spring and autumn, while less educated tourists prefer recreational or adventure-based activities that are more common in the summer season.

The regression analysis provides partial support for this hypothesis. The season of the visit has a statistically significant effect on tourists’ perception of geotourism activities (p = 0.0056), indicating that seasonal factors influence how geotourism experiences are perceived in the Sohodol Gorges. This may reflect the preference for educational or interpretive activities in spring and autumn, when conditions are more favorable.

However, the level of education does not significantly influence tourists’ perceptions of the geotourism activities undertaken (p = 0.2073), suggesting that educational attainment is not a key determinant in this context.

Although the model is statistically significant overall (Prob(F) = 0.0080), the explanatory power is low (R-squared = 0.0240), indicating that only 2.4% of the variation in perceived geotourism activities is explained by season and education level. This points to the need to consider additional variables to better understand what shapes tourists’ engagement in different types of geotourism activities (Appendix L).

Hypothesis 12. 

Tourists working in liberal or creative professions and those traveling with family or organized groups are more likely to recommend the Sohodol Gorges to others compared to tourists traveling alone or from more technical occupational fields.

The regression results partially support this hypothesis. Occupation has a statistically significant effect on the likelihood of recommending the Sohodol Gorges (p = 0.0195), indicating that tourists from certain professional categories—likely those in liberal or people-oriented fields—are more inclined to share positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

In contrast, travel mode does not significantly influence the likelihood of recommendation (p = 0.8787). This suggests that whether a tourist travels alone, with family, or in an organized group does not have a measurable impact on their decision to recommend the destination.

While the overall regression model approaches significance (Prob(F) = 0.0648), its explanatory power remains low, with an R-squared value of only 0.0137. This implies that just 1.37% of the variance in recommendation behavior can be attributed to occupation and travel mode, and that other factors—possibly related to satisfaction, personal values, or previous experience—may better explain tourists’ willingness to recommend the Sohodol Gorges (Appendix M).

5. Discussion

Although these results provide significant insights into how tourism can be managed in the Sohodol Gorges, it is clear that there are other factors, such as individual preferences and cultural context, that could influence these perceptions. Additionally, the presented results indicate that the investigation methods used in this research can serve as a cornerstone for the development of geotourism in any area of Romania.

Future studies should apply procedural or statistical techniques, such as Harman’s single-factor test, to minimize potential common method bias.

Protected areas—in our case, the Sohodol Gorges—are a fundamental aspect of geotourism, which is based on economic, natural, and cultural values. However, the development of post-COVID-19 geotourism requires proactive efforts. The identification of geotourism destinations and GIS mapping of UNESCO Global Geoparks should not only be based on natural factors, but also on activities that promote and provide geoheritage, geoconservation, and environmental education for local, regional, and national development. The main geotourism activities conducted by tourists in the Sohodol Gorges in the post-COVID-19 era include walking in nature and hiking, followed by nature and wildlife activities such as camping in the wild, bird watching, wildlife watching, caving, climbing, photography, and hunting.

Given that the tourism industry is in a recovery phase after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is very important for tourism marketers to effectively advertise these measures and efforts to provide information to tourists and reduce their perceived risks, with the aim of returning to normality in tourism [143]. One measure for addressing tourists’ perceived risk, thereby helping tourism marketing agencies return tourism to normal levels, is non-physical (virtual) travel, which can help tourists familiarize themselves with a destination and thus minimize their chance of being unhappy with their chosen destination [144]. In the tourism recovery phase, the role of social networks in travel and leisure decision-making can be effectively exploited to advertise tourism recovery policies, thereby affecting more than just tourism risk perception [145,146].

To mitigate the challenges arising during the pandemic, geoparks started to develop and establish digital services to stimulate dialogue with the local population, promote geotourism practice areas, and support traditional products and local producers. The implementation of digital technologies or services within geoparks was triggered before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic [147]. Hoblea et al. (2014) provide an overview of the various digital tools, such as optical monitoring, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), laser scanning, and 3D modeling, used and developed to analyze and promote a range of karst geosites from the southeast of France [148]. Two other digital tools developed relatively recently and used for high-resolution mapping of the infrastructure, terrain, vegetation, and landscape of the Sohodol Gorges, Oltenia region, are the Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) [149] and digital elevation model (DEM) [150,151].

Cayla (2014), Zakharovskyi & Németh (2022), and Zakharovskyi & Németh (2023) analyzed georeferencing, geovisualization, geoheritage mapping, laser scanning, and, last but not least, observations inside geoparks of natural phenomena with the help of a web camera [152,153,154]. In their study, entitled “Geotourism Destinations Online Branding Co-creation”, Tiago et al. (2021) examined the online communication of tourism destinations and compared the differences in brand personality traits and attributes conveyed online by three destination marketing organizations (DMOs), namely site, commercial, and editorial [155]. Moreover, various forms of social media (SM) may represent the most relevant sources of promoting post-COVID-19 geotourism, as they can provide relevant information: web technologies such as blogs, wikis, online social networks, and virtual networks [156].

Our results refine several classic tourism theories. Ryan & Glendon (1998) and Pearce (1988) proposed that age and life-stage strongly influence travel preferences, yet in our sample, age showed only weak or inconsistent effects, suggesting that pandemic-era constraints and a culturally homogeneous domestic market may have reduced age-based variation [130,131]. Likewise, Mattila’s (1999) expectation of stronger gender effects was not supported; men and women expressed similar perceptions of risk, price, and ecological impacts [133]. This divergence likely reflects both the self-selection of geotourists—who share pro-nature values—and nationwide media and education campaigns that reach all genders, dampening differences observed in broader tourism markets.

Conversely, our findings confirm and extend work by Stern (2000) and Dunlap et al. (2008), who highlight education and environmental attitudes as key predictors of ecological concern [134,135]. Education consistently shaped perceptions of sustainability and support for conservation, outweighing demographic traits such as gender or occupation. Occupation exerted only limited influence, suggesting that situational factors—post-COVID economic conditions, common national messaging, and shared travel motivations—now overshadow occupational identity. Overall, these results indicate that in post-pandemic Romania, education and environmental awareness are stronger drivers of geotourism perceptions than the demographic factors emphasized in much of the pre-COVID literature.

Beyond the significant effects of education and urban origin, it is equally important to consider the hypotheses that were only partially or not at all supported, as these null results provide valuable insight into the dynamics of post-pandemic geotourism in Romania.

Many hypotheses were only partly or not at all supported, which is revealing. This may stem from (1) measurement limits, as complex attitudes like pro-environmental behavior are hard to capture with simple survey items; (2) a homogenous Romanian tourist profile, where shared culture and environmental messaging reduce demographic differences; and (3) unmeasured factors—such as prior nature-tourism experience or post-COVID economic and health concerns—that may overshadow basic demographics. These findings suggest that education and environmental awareness, rather than age or gender, are the key drivers of geotourism perceptions in this context.

The consistent significance of education level in shaping perceptions of geotourism development, compared with the non-significant effects of gender, can be interpreted within the socio-cultural and educational context of Romania. Over the past two decades, Romanian educational curricula—particularly in secondary schools and universities—have progressively integrated topics related to environmental protection, sustainability, and natural heritage conservation, exposing students to concepts such as biodiversity, ecological responsibility, and sustainable tourism. This exposure fosters higher levels of environmental awareness and pro-environmental attitudes that translate into stronger support for geotourism initiatives. In contrast, gender differences in environmental perception are less pronounced in Romanian society, partly because environmental issues are framed as collective concerns rather than gendered responsibilities. Moreover, national media campaigns and European Union-funded programs promoting ecological behavior reach a wide audience regardless of gender, further diluting potential gender-based gaps. Therefore, the significant role of education likely reflects both formal educational interventions and the informal influence of mass media in shaping environmentally conscious tourism preferences, whereas gender plays a minimal role in this cultural and policy landscape.

6. Conclusions

This study shows that demographic and behavioral factors shape tourists’ perceptions of geotourism in the Sohodol Gorges. Education level consistently influenced positive views of economic opportunities and environmental responsibility, while age and occupation had mixed but notable effects on perceptions of sustainability, crowding, and cultural identity. Gender and place of origin were not significant in most models. These findings underscore the need to integrate environmental education, tailor visitor experiences to different tourist profiles, and strengthen conservation policies. For broader insights, future research should compare results across other geoparks and use mixed methods to better understand post-pandemic geotourism behaviors.

In the post-COVID-19 context, protected areas can serve as key drivers of sustainability and lifestyle change at the local (Runcu commune), regional (South-West Oltenia), and national (Romania) levels. Tourists’ perceptions in the Sohodol Gorges are strongly influenced by education and environmental awareness, which shape how they value the economic, ecological, and cultural aspects of geotourism. Visitors with higher education levels tend to recognize the importance of biodiversity protection, cultural preservation, and sustainable economic opportunities, making them more receptive to initiatives that combine learning with recreation. Geoparks should therefore design marketing strategies that specifically target environmentally conscious and educated audiences, tailoring seasonal campaigns to promote educational and interpretive activities in spring and autumn, while highlighting adventure and recreational options, such as hiking, caving, and wildlife observation, during the summer months.

Effective visitor management is essential to balance tourist satisfaction with the protection of sensitive ecosystems. Measures such as timed entry slots, guided tours, designated hiking trails, and strategic infrastructure upgrades can help reduce overcrowding, prevent environmental degradation, and improve the overall visitor experience. Additionally, interactive educational signage, augmented reality apps, and other digital tools can actively engage tourists in learning about geology, biodiversity, and cultural heritage while minimizing physical congestion. As a concrete step, geoparks should implement a comprehensive, integrated visitor experience plan that combines digital guides, on-site interpretive panels, and sustainable travel incentives, ensuring that conservation, education, and recreation objectives are simultaneously met. By strategically aligning marketing, management, and educational tools, geoparks can transform visitor awareness into tangible conservation action while maximizing socio-economic benefits for local communities.

This research is subject to the following limitations:

First, the sample is based only on tourists from Romania.

Second, the geographical area itself represents a second limitation.

Third, this study lacks integration with other qualitative methods, such as the Delphi method, to explore tourists’ motivations for visiting geoparks in Romania, compared to other geoparks in Europe, Asia, or America.

Future research should focus on investigating the intentions of geotourism development tourists in other countries, such as those on the European continent. Another direction of research would be to focus on exploring a comparative analysis between a geopark in Romania and one in Europe, Asia, or America to develop post-pandemic development strategies and policies adapted to the specific characteristics of UNESCO Global Geoparks in each location. Finally, future research could consider using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to create path analysis diagrams or a conceptual modeling framework to explicitly link demographic variables, tourist perceptions, and the different factors influencing geotourism, thus increasing the clarity and comprehensiveness of the geotourism development model in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.