Geotourism is tourism associated with geological attractions and destinations. [1] Geotourism (tourism with a geological base) deals with the abiotic natural and built environments. [2] Geotourism was first defined in England by Thomas Alfred Hose in 1995. [3]
Most of the world defines geotourism as purely the study of geological and geomorphological features. The key definitions of modern geotourism (abiotic nature-based tourism) include:
According to Sadry (2009),in the past, nature-based tourism activities largely focused on living things (namely biotic nature attractions/biodiversity phenomena).As a result, visiting natural areas and their unique flora and fauna, gradually led to the development of ecotourism, wildlife tourism, and other similar tourism types. Recently, in the 21st century, geotourism has emerged to deal with non-living parts of the natural environment. Geological features and landforms are examples of abiotic nature or geodiversity phenomena. [6]
Geotourism adds to ecotourism's principal focus on plants (flora) and animals (fauna) by adding a third dimension to the abiotic environment. Thus it is growing around the world through the growth of geoparks as well as independently in many natural and urban areas where tourism focus in on the geological environment.
"Looking at the environment in a simplistic manner, we see that it is made up of Abiotic, Biotic and Cultural(ABC) attributes. Starting with the 'C' or cultural component first, we note that of three features it is this one which is generally the most known and interpreted, that is, through information about the built or cultural environment either in the past (historical accounts) or present (community customs and culture). The 'B' or biotic features of fauna (animals) and flora (plants) has seen a large focus of interpretation and understanding through ecotourism. But it is the first attribute of the 'A' or abiotic features including rocks, landforms and processes that has received the least attention in tourism, and consequently is the least known and understood. This holistic approach to tourism is growing rapidly around the world and It is powering UNESCO Global Geoparks which are now on virtually every continent [7] This then is the real power of geotourism, in that it puts the tourist spotlight firmly on geology, and brings it to the forefront of our understanding through tourism". [5]
Geotourism is often confused with ecotourism, due to close definitions of the terms. Geotourism is geodiversity-centred while ecotourism is biodiversity-centred. Geotourism activities focus on providing the recreation geology contexts for visitors. Three core elements within the concept of geotourism have been recognised that distinguish this concept from ecotourism, namely: 1. Abiotic nature as the main attraction;2. Geological heritage interpretation; and 3. Positive outcomes for nature and local residents Geotourism is a sister category to ecotourism. Geotourism is distinguished to be focused on abiotic nature and built environments dealing with geology and geomorphology while ecotourism is focused on the living nature dealing with ecology and living things. [8] [9]
Geotourism sectors include: [10] [11] [12] [13]
Geotourism stakeholders are the local people, geo-visitors, travel agencies, business owners, etc., just like the tourism stakeholders.Schools and universities could also be considered as stakeholders in geotourism when discussing geopark development. Marketing strategies practiced in UNESCO Global Geoparks include professional internal and external marketing tools such as brochures, magazines, newsletters, websites, social media platforms; as well as public relation activities, such as participating trade shows; advertising campaigns and even joint marketing through networking on regional, national, and international level. [14] Since geotourism emphasizes the abiotic nature, environmental protection, and the local community, it is important that destinations, such as geoparks, focus their marketing efforts for geotourism in a sustainable manner; so that, the environment including the geoheritages and the local community would benefit most. [15]
A geosite is a location that has a particular geological or geomorphological significance. As well as its inherent geological characteristics it may also have cultural or heritage significance.[ citation needed ] Geosites, geological or geomorphological sites with a recognised value determined through an audit, assessment, and selection process, are subject to a range of threats (Prosser et al., 2018).
All UNESCO Global Geoparks and national geoparks around the world and all geotourism sites such as historical mines, caves, and... are manifestations of the geotourism industry. [16]
Geodiversity is the variety of earth materials, forms, and processes that constitute and shape the Earth, either the whole or a specific part of it. The term geodiversity is strongly linked to other neologisms such as geoconservation, geoheritage or even geo-indicators. All these terms promote the idea that human activities threaten the diversity of rocks, soils, and landforms as well as the dynamics of the processes that generate them. [17]
According to the Geological Society of Australia, a geotrail "delivers geotourism experiences through a journey linked by an area's geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment". [18] Geotrail definition is ‘A guided or self-guided trail of multiple geosites that interprets geology and landscape’. [19]
A geopark is a unified area that advances the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable way, and promotes the economic well-being of the people who live there. Geotourism has been developed from an unknown niche trend to an approach in the tourism industry since 2004, due to the UNESCO support for the global geopark movement in the 21st century. The potential activities within geoparks ranging from visiting cultural heritage to natural attractions, agriculture, and even dark tourism.
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Geoconservation is the practice of recognising, protecting and managing sites and landscapes which have value for their geology or geomorphology. Geoconservation is carried out by a wide range of organisations from local geological societies to government agencies. Typically the conservation of geodiversity at a site or within a landscape takes place alongside that of biodiversity.[ citation needed ]
A geopark is a protected area with internationally significant geology within which sustainable development is sought and which includes tourism, conservation, education and research concerning not just geology but other relevant sciences.
Geodiversity is the variety of earth materials, forms and processes that constitute and shape the Earth, either the whole or a specific part of it. Relevant materials include minerals, rocks, sediments, fossils, soils and water. Forms may comprise folds, faults, landforms and other expressions of morphology or relations between units of earth material. Any natural process that continues to act upon, maintain or modify either material or form represents another aspect of geodiversity. However geodiversity is not normally defined to include the likes of landscaping, concrete or other significant human influence.
Geological Park Iskar–Panega is an UNESCO-run Geopark in Northern Bulgaria, located 3 km south of the municipal centre Lukovit. It consists of two sections: the Karlukovo Karst Complex lies in the valley of the Iskar River, while the Roadside Landscape Park "Panega" is at the Zlatna Panega valley. Started in 2006, it became the first geopark in Bulgaria, and created temporary employment for 20 previously unemployed people. Another economic effect was that the number of overnights at main lodging facilities in Lukovit increased by 40%, and the number of visits to the city and region rose significantly.
Lumangwe Falls on the Kalungwishi River in northern Zambia is the largest waterfall wholly within the country, with a height of 30-40 m and a width of 100-160 m. It is a block-type waterfall located between the Luapula and Northern Provinces. The main bedrock is interbedded quartzite with layers of red siltstone.
The European Geoparks Network (EGN) functions as the regional organization of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main objective is to ensure cooperation between geoparks for the protection of geological heritage and the promotion of sustainable development of their territories in Europe. In 2020 January, the EGN had 75 institutional members from 26 European countries and there are several aspiring geopark projects, applying for a UNESCO label and therefore the permanent EGN membership.
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). that administers the network.
Geoheritage is the geological aspect of natural and cultural heritage. A geosite is a particular geological heritage asset. It is a heritage category comparable to other forms of natural heritage, such as biodiversity.
The San'in Kaigan Geopark (山陰海岸ジオパーク) is a geopark in Japan. The area was declared a Japanese Geopark in 2008, and a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2010. The underlying themes of the geopark are "geological features, the natural environment, people's lives, and the formation of the Sea of Japan". This geologically diverse area contains records of the process from when Japan was part of the Asian continent to its present-day formation of the Sea of Japan. People's lives are also diverse in this area because of its geodiversity.
The Azores Geopark is a network of 121 geographically-dispersed sites of geographic heritage and marine areas that covers the nine volcanic islands of the archipelago of the Azores. This network is managed by the Azores Geopark Association, a non-profit association, with its headquarters in Horta on the island of Faial, established 19 May 2010. It is part of the European Geoparks Network and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. The Association's mission is to ensure the geological conservation, environmental education and sustainable development, while promoting the well-being of the population and a respect for the environment.
Cultural sustainability as it relates to sustainable development, has to do with maintaining cultural beliefs, cultural practices, heritage conservation, culture as its own entity, and the question of whether or not any given cultures will exist in the future. From cultural heritage to cultural and creative industries, culture is both an enabler and a driver of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Culture is defined as a set of beliefs, morals, methods, institutions and a collection of human knowledge that is dependent on the transmission of these characteristics to younger generations. Cultural sustainability has been categorized under the social pillar of the three pillars of sustainability, but some argue that cultural sustainability should be its own pillar, due to its growing importance within social, political, environmental, and economic spheres. The importance of cultural sustainability lies within its influential power over the people, as decisions that are made within the context of society are heavily weighed by the beliefs of that society.
Degol Woyane is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. It includes Dabba Selama, the oldest monastery of Ethiopia, and the most inaccessible in the world. The tabia centre is in Zala village, located approximately 10 km to the west of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Melfa is a tabiya or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia and ancient capital of Tembien. The tabia centre is Melfa village itself, located approximately 3 km to the west of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Emni Ankelalu is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Mitslal Afras village, located approximately 20 km to the east of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Arebay is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia organised around the Arebay mountain peaks. The tabia centre is in Arebay village, located approximately 13 km to the east-northeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Addi Walka is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Kelkele village, located approximately 16 km northeast of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Mahbere Sillasie is a tabia or municipality in the Dogu'a Tembien district of the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The tabia centre is in Guderbo village, located approximately 2.5 km to the west-northwest of the woreda town Hagere Selam.
Cynthia Veronica Burek is a Professor of Geoconservation at the University of Chester. She serves on the steering group of the Geodiversity Action Plan (UKGAP) and as a Director of the British Federation of Women Graduates.
Geoconservation is the practice of recognising, protecting and managing sites and landscapes which have value for their geology or geomorphology. The conservation of these geological sites is through government agencies and local geological societies in areas such as Europe and Africa. The designation of these sites is done through an analysis of the site, and the production of proper management infrastructure. The principles of geoconservation are to create a means of protection for the sites, and assess their value to the geological community. Typically the conservation of geodiversity at a site or within a landscape takes place alongside that of biodiversity.
Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Geopark is a geopark that covers the entire area of Mine City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southern Japan. It was certified as a Japanese geopark in 2015 and is a UNESCO Global Geopark. Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park is situated within the geopark. Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Geopark is a member of the Japanese Geoparks Network, and works with both the Global Geoparks Network and the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network.
In a 500-word news article in 2020, one author (B.N. Sadry) mentioned many books on geotourism and chose their seven major reference books: [1]
Media related to Geotourism at Wikimedia Commons
