Benefit Segmentation of Tourists to Geosites and Its Implications for Sustainable Development of Geotourism in the Southern Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia

Geotourism is a sustainable type of tourism that focuses on the geological and geomorphological heritages an area, associated cultural biodiversity features. Though popularity geotourism rapidly growing, research demand side, particularly segmenting tourists to geosites understanding their profiles, limited. This obviously makes designing effective policies aim at developing sustainably very difficult. Hence, main objectives this study were segment profile based benefits sought, show its implications for development geotourism. With survey 415 tourists, clustered in southern Lake Tana region Ethiopia sought. A factor–cluster method was applied tourists. The identified four distinct segments: Activity–Nature Lovers, Culture Nature–Culture Want-It-Alls. These segments differed demographic, trip, behavioral characteristics. findings implied development, destination managers marketers need customize product marketing strategies needs characteristics each market segment.