Eastern Newfoundland Geotourism MapGuide ProjectThe Eastern Newfoundland MapGuide, created through a collaborative process, will highlight the natural, historic ...www.nlgeotourism.com/about.php

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geogeotourtourism n: ism n: tourism that sustains or tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residentsits residents

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How it works

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Who we are

What makes us specialOur sense of place

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Cape Race Days

Tely Ten

Southern Shore DinnerTheater

A Royal Shag Up

Surprises

Experiences

Telling the Story

Inspiring Travelers

Time line (approximate)

June 2011- Sample POI’s and site nominations

Sept 15-30 – Site Nomination Launch

Dec 15- End of Site nominations

Feb 15- Mid Term meeting with council

April 1- Public site developed

May 15 – finish debug and host roll out ( i.e. Titanic event?)

1.1. Select Overall ThemesSelect Overall Themes2.2. Identify Potential WritersIdentify Potential Writers3.3. Identify Iconic Intro WriterIdentify Iconic Intro Writer4.4. Identify Theme Writer Identify Theme Writer 5.5. Identify IntervieweesIdentify Interviewees6.6. Edit NominationsEdit Nominations7.7. Determine 200 POIDetermine 200 POI’’S for NG S for NG

Maps Maps 8.8. GeoTraveler TipsGeoTraveler Tips9.9. Next StepsNext Steps

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NominationsNominations Text BlocksText Blocks PhotographyPhotography LegendLegend DesignDesign ThemesThemes CartographyCartography

851851 "active" nominations "active" nominations – – Active means they have been approved and posted on the Active means they have been approved and posted on the

nominations site All information was submitted (Text, At nominations site All information was submitted (Text, At least one Photo, Contacts, and Plotted on Map)least one Photo, Contacts, and Plotted on Map)

   This doesnThis doesn’’t mean they are necessarily qualified for the t mean they are necessarily qualified for the

longterm, but as a nomination, they met the basic criteria: longterm, but as a nomination, they met the basic criteria:    They were not obscene or generally unacceptable for They were not obscene or generally unacceptable for

obvious reasonsobvious reasons    It was It was ““GEOTOURISTICGEOTOURISTIC”” – authentic, local - a site that – authentic, local - a site that

should receive consideration at initial glance (not a multi-should receive consideration at initial glance (not a multi-level marketing scheme for Amway or something)level marketing scheme for Amway or something)

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104 104 "inactive" "inactive" -- Inactive means that the content is not Active, nor has it Inactive means that the content is not Active, nor has it

been submitted to an Editor for review. A lot of the been submitted to an Editor for review. A lot of the inactive content is stuff that people started on and didninactive content is stuff that people started on and didn’’t t finish.finish.

2828 “pending” “pending” – Pending means that the – Pending means that the nominator has created the content and has nominator has created the content and has submitted it to the Editor for review. The submitted it to the Editor for review. The contributor felt that they wanted it to be contributor felt that they wanted it to be considered and reviewed by the editor so they considered and reviewed by the editor so they selected the selected the ““Submit to EditorSubmit to Editor”” option in option in GeoConsensusGeoConsensus

499 499 “active” “active” Content contributors Content contributors (189 inactive contributors)(189 inactive contributors)

OUT - Eliminate nomination if it:OUT - Eliminate nomination if it: - Not in the NL region- Not in the NL region - Does not fit the geotourism criteria/definition- Does not fit the geotourism criteria/definition - Is not what it says it is, is not true, is not in - Is not what it says it is, is not true, is not in

operation yetoperation yet - Is not safe (e.g., ???????)- Is not safe (e.g., ???????) - Sensitive Impact area- Sensitive Impact area

- - Not legal (private land, sacred site)Not legal (private land, sacred site)

Mark nomination if it:Mark nomination if it:

- Needs more or better content before it goes on the - Needs more or better content before it goes on the

- Needs to be verified or fact checked- Needs to be verified or fact checked

IN - IN - Reaches all criteria and is ready to go on the siteReaches all criteria and is ready to go on the site

 

Community  

Natural Wonders  

History  

Adventure

THEMATIC Writer(s)THEMATIC Writer(s) Iconic Introduction writerIconic Introduction writer Local VoicesLocal Voices IdentifyIdentify two people two people, appropriate for each theme, for , appropriate for each theme, for

the thematic writer to interview. Ideally these should the thematic writer to interview. Ideally these should be local people that a traveler would be apt to run into be local people that a traveler would be apt to run into when traveling in the region. The goal is to create a when traveling in the region. The goal is to create a connection between the reader and the place. connection between the reader and the place.

1. 1. Research AlternativesResearch Alternatives. . Many businesses and service providers have policies Many businesses and service providers have policies that minimize their environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts.that minimize their environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts.

   2. 2. Consider Your Mode of TransportationConsider Your Mode of Transportation. . Walk, bicycle, or use public Walk, bicycle, or use public

transportation. Rent hybrid vehicles. transportation. Rent hybrid vehicles.    33. Respect Local Cultures. Respect Local Cultures. . Be aware that you are travelling in a place of Be aware that you are travelling in a place of

heightened social awareness. Respect and accept the differences of local people and heightened social awareness. Respect and accept the differences of local people and other cultures. Learn about their customs, social norms, and environmental issues other cultures. Learn about their customs, social norms, and environmental issues before you visit.before you visit.

   44. Spend Locally. Spend Locally. . Ensure that local people benefit from your travels. Visit locally Ensure that local people benefit from your travels. Visit locally

owned businesses, buy locally produced foods and products, and use the services of owned businesses, buy locally produced foods and products, and use the services of tour operators, outfitters, and accommodations that employ local people.tour operators, outfitters, and accommodations that employ local people.

   5. 5. Conserve Natural ResourcesConserve Natural Resources. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Consider the water, . Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Consider the water,

energy, and waste disposal systems usedenergy, and waste disposal systems used      

6. 6. Honor Protected AreasHonor Protected Areas. . When visiting protected areas When visiting protected areas learn and follow all advisories, rules, and regulations. Remember learn and follow all advisories, rules, and regulations. Remember the fees you pay to use these areas support local efforts to the fees you pay to use these areas support local efforts to conserve them. Always respect the rights of local landowners and conserve them. Always respect the rights of local landowners and keep in mind that there are private lands mixed in with public keep in mind that there are private lands mixed in with public lands.lands.

   7. 7. Leave No TraceLeave No Trace. . Use the Leave No Trace guidelines as Use the Leave No Trace guidelines as

your recreation and adventure your recreation and adventure    8. 8. Keep Wildlife WildKeep Wildlife Wild. . Do not disturb wild animals or their Do not disturb wild animals or their

habitat. Never chase, harass, or feed wildlife. Keep your distance habitat. Never chase, harass, or feed wildlife. Keep your distance and use binoculars.and use binoculars.

9. 9. Give BackGive Back. . Find a local cause or project of interest and Find a local cause or project of interest and make a donation or volunteer your time.make a donation or volunteer your time.

10. 10. Explore. Explore. Your guidebook is just a starting point. Be open to Your guidebook is just a starting point. Be open to local suggestions and new experiences. Consider visiting popular local suggestions and new experiences. Consider visiting popular places at off peak times. places at off peak times.

   11. 11. Travel SafelyTravel Safely. . Exercise caution – a lot of roads in the Exercise caution – a lot of roads in the

mountains are graveled or single lane roads. Road conditions mountains are graveled or single lane roads. Road conditions can be extremely hazardous during inclement weather. Carry can be extremely hazardous during inclement weather. Carry chains when visiting the mountains during the fall, winter and chains when visiting the mountains during the fall, winter and spring. spring.

   12. 12. Safety FirstSafety First. . Be prepared. Learn about local conditions Be prepared. Learn about local conditions

before you venture out. Consider using a local guide. Dress in before you venture out. Consider using a local guide. Dress in layers – itlayers – it’’s not uncommon to experience several seasons during s not uncommon to experience several seasons during the same day. the same day.

   13. 13. Fire HazardsFire Hazards. . Find out if fires are permitted or if camp Find out if fires are permitted or if camp

stoves are the only option before heading out for a camping trip. stoves are the only option before heading out for a camping trip.

The steps to develop a Geotourism mapguide The steps to develop a Geotourism mapguide

1. Organize Geotourism Stewardship Council1. Organize Geotourism Stewardship Council2. Establish website2. Establish website3. Engage communities - geotourism forums, local outreach, media, 3. Engage communities - geotourism forums, local outreach, media, 4. Create Geotourism MapGuide - catalytic program - informs, educates and 4. Create Geotourism MapGuide - catalytic program - informs, educates and

involves local people and visitorsinvolves local people and visitors - Gather site nominations- Gather site nominations - Edit, fact check- Edit, fact check - Choose site nominations to put on the map- Choose site nominations to put on the map - Identify text themes - Identify text themes - Write, design, and print map- Write, design, and print map5. Distribute5. Distribute6. Think beyond the map - engage GSC to identify what we do next6. Think beyond the map - engage GSC to identify what we do next

1. Role of the ENL GSC1. Role of the ENL GSC

2. “Roll Out” Event2. “Roll Out” Event

3. Enhance Website Distribution3. Enhance Website Distribution

4. Monetize the website4. Monetize the website

The GSC can be:The GSC can be:an existing DMOan existing DMO

an existing association that is taking on the an existing association that is taking on the responsibility to act as a DMOresponsibility to act as a DMO

an ad hoc group brought together for the purpose of an ad hoc group brought together for the purpose of creating and managing the Geotourism development creating and managing the Geotourism development processprocess

an organization institutionalized for the samean organization institutionalized for the same

2. “Roll Out” Event

When

Where

3. Enhance Website Distribution

• Greater visibility on NG.com

• Post Cards – send to NG.com subscriber lists

• E-newsletters – Sierra Nevada example

• Facebook Page – Sierra Nevada example

• APP – Geotourism Mobile MapGuide

• Geotourism Destination Acknowledgements

• Bookmarks / Table Tents

• Trade Shows and Conferences

Tools for visitors:

Mobile GeotourismMapGuide

4. Monetize the Website

4.1 - Corporate Sponsorship – Appropriate Advertising

4.2 - Business on the site pay a fee for “hot links”

4.3 - Install a retail market space on the website for local services and locally-made goods that conform to Geotourism standards. 4.4 - Develop National Geographic co-branded "Geotourism tours” - to each destination operated by a high end operator and bookable through a website portal 4.5- Integrate accommodation booking engine and attraction ticketing for Geotourism sites

How we will measure success•Assessment through Geoconsensus – content contributors periodic self reporting•Stakeholder Surveys – web site based / work groups•Visitor surveys – web site / at visit points in the region•Data interpretation and reporting in cooperation with Duke University – The Nicholas School of the Environment

What we will measure; Key indicators •Visitors /Length of stay / Income generation / benefits•Local participation / public – private sector partnerships

Measuring Success – How and what we will measure

Completed in 2011 -12• Southern Ethiopia• ETRV• Lakes to Locks (NY, Que.)• Four Corners•Yosemite MapGuide

In production•Eastern Newfoundland•Western Balkans•Douro Valley of Portugal

Starting Now• Central America• Bahamas

Coming SoonNamibia, Heart of the Continent, Gulf States, Y to Y

Completed 2006 - 2009

Seven Western USA Projects – •Sonora Desert (2006)•Crown of the Continent (2007)•Greater Yellowstone (2006)•Central Cascades (2008)•Redwood Coast (2009)•Sierra Nevada (2010)

Plus:•Northeast Kingdom, Vt. (2006)•Guatemala (2010)•Peru – Vilcanota Valley (2009)•Baja California, Mexico (2007)•Montreal (2008)

Are we sustaining or enhancing the character of our place?

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