Analysis of Attendance and Speleotourism Potential of Accessible Caves in Karst Landscape of Slovakia

Slovakia's karst caves, home to over 7000 registered caverns and five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hold significant speleotourism potential. A study analyzing attendance data from 12 accessible caves between 2010–2019 and visitor surveys revealed that these sites are vital for both domestic and international tourism, as well as nature conservation. The research employed a modified standardization methodology to evaluate quality indicators, ranking the caves based on their speleotourism potential. This approach highlights the importance of preserving and promoting these natural wonders, which attract substantial visitor numbers while contributing to cultural heritage protection.

Čech, V., Chrastina, P., Gregorová, B., Hronček, P., Klamár, R., & Košová, V. (2021). Analysis of Attendance and Speleotourism Potential of Accessible Caves in Karst Landscape of Slovakia. Sustainability, 13(11), 5881. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115881