Planet Earth International 2009

Exploring the
characterising its primary focus on, ‘the
T
promotion of the awareness of the Earth’s
ourism and tr
geological heritage to the wider community
by experiencing its geological features in
eco way
such a way that fosters the protection, care
and management of all precious attractions
and by addressing topics like sustainability,
education, environmental issues and local
beneﬁ ts’. To achieve this ambitious goal,
Worldwide travel is becoming easier and ever more
geological attractions should be integrated
popular, but environmental concern is creating a
in tourist programmes as an essential compo-
nent of nature-based tourism and ecotourism.
new kind of conservational tourism.
Geotourism – opportunities
By HANS P. SCHÖNLAUB
There are various reasons why activities in geo-
ansport
tourism, also described as Travel for Tomorrow
A
ccording to the UNWTO World Tourism to be used in the most effective way. One (©National Geographic), has gained so much
Barometer, international tourism grew potential activity to reach this goal is the success and so many supporters.
by 6% from 2006 to 2007, reaching 903 fast developing sector of geotourism. Within • As of October 2008, the World Heritage
million arrivals in 2007. Receipts grew to only a few years, this activity has grown List includes 878 properties forming part
US$856 billion (€625 billion/£584 billion), from a small wallﬂ ower to an industry-like of the cultural and natural heritage which
equivalent to a real terms increase of 6.5% business. the World Heritage Committee considers as
in 2006. Top tourist destinations, based on having outstanding universal value. These
international tourist arrivals and receipts, What is geotourism? include 679 cultural, 174 natural (20%)
did not show any signiﬁ cant changes; According to the journal National Geo- and 25 mixed properties in 145 State Par-
France holds its ﬁ rst position ahead of Spain graphic, geotourism is deﬁ ned as, “Tourism ties. To date, 185 States Parties have ratiﬁ ed
and USA, while in receipts the USA ranks that sustains or enhances the geographical the World Heritage Convention.
ﬁ rst ahead of Spain, France, China, Italy, character of a place – its environment, These natural properties include locali-
UK and Germany. The prime position in the culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well- ties and regions which are of outstanding
ranking of international tourism spenders is being of its residents”. geological and aesthetic value and which,
Germany followed by the USA, UK, France, The concept was introduced publicly in for the most part, are open for visitors.
China, Italy and Japan. a 2002 report by the Travel Industry Asso- The list includes natural parks, waterfalls,
From January to April 2008 increases con- ciation of America and the National Geo- lakes and deltas, reefs, glaciers, caves,
tinued at around 5% compared to the same graphic Traveler magazine. National Geo- volcanoes, impact craters, islands, coastal
period in 2007. Another recent key trend graphic senior editor Jonathan B. Tourtellot regions and – last but not least – fossil,
– outbound tourism – has been increasingly and his wife, Sally Bensusen, coined the mineral and mining sites.
driven by emerging source markets from term in 1997 in response to requests for a • The concept of World, UNESCO and
Asia, the Paciﬁ c, Central America and the term and concept more encompassing than National Geoparks is a relatively recently
Middle East, while European markets expe- ecotourism and sustainable tourism. developed idea that is attracting many
rienced only slight increases. Geotourism incorporates the concept visitors. In attracting visitors with spec-
of sustainable tourism – that destina- tacular geological features and heritage, a
Global panics tions should remain unspoiled for future Geopark can enhance employment oppor-
The long-term trend is characterised by generations – while allowing for enhance- tunities for local people, thus yielding sus-
uncertainty over the future global economic ment that protects the character of the tainable economic beneﬁ ts.
situation, in particular rising energy prices, locale. Geotourism also adopts a principle • Since inception under the aegis of UNESCO,
disposable income, budget travel and conﬁ - from its cousin, ecotourism – that tourism the Global Network of National Geoparks
dence, although this may vary from region revenue can promote conservation – and has seen 57 parks set up in 18 countries
to region. On the whole, UNWTO anticipates extends that principle beyond nature travel (Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Croatia,
positive international tourism growth by to encompass culture and history as well, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece,
3-4% in 2008. Worldwide tourism seems i.e. all distinctive assets of a place (Source: Ireland, Italy, Iran, Malaysia, Norway,
to be able to cope with different shocks, National Geographic, Center for Sustainable Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United
including security threats, geopolitical Destinations). Kingdom). Already, the economic beneﬁ ts
M
O
tensions or natural and man-made crises. In 2005 R. K. Dowling and D. Newsome, of Geoparks are becoming an important
F
.
C
R
3
2
For national tourist organisations, market editors of the ﬁ rst book on geotourism, aspect of tourism in some areas. Growth

1
© segmentation is crucial if their resources are enlarged and redeﬁ ned the concept by in tourist gross turnover for bed, board
www.yearofplanetearth.org PLANET EARTH 109
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