Hiking Trails Route Selection Using Geospatial Technologies For Erer Mountain Ecotourism Park

Abstract

Currently, Ecotourism Is Considered As The Most Attractive Subset Of Tourism Industry And Stable Solution For Economic Development, Particularly In Developing Countries Like Ethiopia If It Is Properly Managed. Ethiopia Is Embracing Ecotourism In Its Conservation And Economic Development Strategies Because It Has Been Perceived Potential As An Effective Tool For Achieving The Aspired Sustainable Development Needs. For This Reason, There Is A Need For Improving The Existing Ecotourism Destinations As Well As Developing New Destinations. Accordingly, This Study Presents A Methodological Framework For The Determination Of The Optimal Hiking Route Location By Taking Erer Mountain Ecotourism Park As A Case Study Using Geospatial Technologies. The Study Adopted Suitability Modelling Approach To Combine Potential Criteria On A Scale Of 1 To 5 Suitability Rating Scores Using Raster Calculator In GIS Environment. And, Then Grid-Based Approach Of A Least Cost Path Analysis Method Using Arcgis Software Was Adopted To Determine The Optimal Location For Hiking Trails Route Alignment. Furthermore, The Study Attempted To Assess The Environmental Impacts That May Results From The Proposed Erer Mountain Hiking Trails, And The Corresponding Mitigation Measures That Would Minimize The Possible Adverse Effects. Out Of The Three Optimal Hiking Trail Route Alignments, The Shortest And Most Economic Route Was Found To Be 99.24km. The Results Of This Analysis Showed The Potential And Applicability Of Using Geospatial Technologies Such As GIS As A Tool In Determining The Optimal Hiking Trail Location. Apparently, The Proposed Methodology Can Be Useful To Determine Mountain Hiking Trails In Other Part Of The Country By Taking Into Account Several Criteria Deemed Important To The Local Context.