Travel to Mars-like Places on Earth: A New Branch of Sustainable Ecotourism in Lut Desert World Heritage Site, Iran

Research identifies four distinct sites within Iran's Lut Desert World Heritage Site that exhibit striking similarities to Mars, offering a unique opportunity for sustainable ecotourism. The study highlights the potential of these Martian-like landscapes to attract adventurous tourists while promoting conservation efforts through responsible travel practices. Utilizing qualitative analysis from interviews with 18 participants—including experts, tour guides, and tourists—the research underscores how this new branch of desert ecotourism can foster sustainable development in the region. The findings suggest that leveraging these otherworldly landscapes could both preserve the desert's ecological integrity and provide an immersive experience akin to space exploration.

Ghorbani, A., Zangiabadi, A., Mousazadeh, H., Akbarzadeh Almani, F., Zhu, K., & Dávid, L. D. (2023). Travel to Mars-like Places on Earth: A New Branch of Sustainable Ecotourism in Lut Desert World Heritage Site, Iran. Sustainability, 15(12), 9677. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129677