1

GeotourismProfessor Ross Dowling OAM

Edith Cowan University

Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco ConferenceRottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015

2

Geotourism:A powerful new tool

for sustainable regional development

3

Contents of Presentation

1. Geotourism

2. Geoparks

3. Case Study: Iceland

Wave RockWestern Australia

4

Three Global Geotourism Books

2006 20102010

5

2008 - Australia2010 - Malaysia2011 – Oman

Three Global Conferences

6

7

The Environment‘ABC’ elements

Type of Tourism

Abiotic Landforms Landscapes Geotourism

Biotic Animals (Fauna)Plants (Flora)

Ecotourism

CulturalPeople

Past & PresentCulturalTourism

The Environment and Tourism

8

1. Geotourism· Geotourism is the tourism of

geology and landforms

· Its focus is on the Abiotic environment, ie: geology

· It uses this focus to inform the Biotic environment (plants & animals) as well the Cultural environment (people past & present)

· It can occur in either natural or built environments

Sahraf Al AlamayanMountain Pass, Oman

9

Geotourism’s Key Components1. Excellent geological attractions

2. The geological context (large to small)

3. Appropriate interpretation (form, process and time)

4. Connection (to the Biotic and Cultural environments)

5. Passionate, informed, accredited guides

10

1. Attractions USA – Grand Canyon

11

A large, sickle-shaped, natural amphitheatre covering nearly 80 sq km (31 sq mi)

Australia - Wilpena Pound

12

2. The Geological Context

Large

Small

13

France – Reunion Island

Piton de la Furnace

Large

14

The Sultanate of Oman - Al Hoota CaveMedium

15

Al Hoota Cave

16

Access to Cave by Train

17

Train journey to the cave

18

Excellent Visitor Centre

19

South Korea - Goseong County Small

20

South Korea - Dinosaur Footprints

21

Exhibition Centre

22

3. Appropriate InterpretationIn

terp

reta

tion

FormProcess

Time

23

Form

ProcessTourism’sFeatures

Geology’sFeatures

Wave RockWestern Australia

Time

24

South Korea - Mt Halla

25

4. Biotic and Cultural Connectivity

26

Cultural Connection

27

28

Cultural Connectionbegins in the carpark

29

5. GeoguidesPassionate, Informed & Accredited

The Visitor Experience

30

Abiotic

Biotic Cultural

Geotourism’s ‘ABC’

31

Galapagos

32

UNESCO Programs

Program Sites Countries

Man and the Biosphere

651 120

World Heritage 1031 163

Geoparks 120 33

33

2. Geoparks

Geoparks are both a development concept as well as a branding tool. They achieve these goals through UNESCO’s Geoparks and:

1. Education2. Science3. Culture4. Women5. Sustainable Development [through geotourism]

34

35

36

37

Geopark – Form and Process

No Level Appellation

1 Local Aspiring2 National National3 Regional eg. European4 Global Global

38

Global GeoparksEurope

China&

JapanIran

Malaysia

Canada

BrazilIndonesia

39

European Geoparks

40

Case Study – IcelandGeotourism is a vehicle for

Sustainable Regional Development

AttractionVisitor Centre

AmenitiesCafé

ToursGeotour

Kristbjorg Helga + ArnórGuðný

41

Eyjafjallajökull

The volcano that stopped the world

42

Eyjafjallajökull Erupts Visitor Centre

43

Excellent Interpretation

44Interesting Exhibits

45

Guðný provides a strong ‘Connection’

46

Eastern Iceland

47

48

49

50

A Farm Tour

51

The Tour Guide – The Farmers Wife

52

Vinaminni Kaffihús

53

54

Owners Helga og Arnór

55

Finally• Geotourism forms the basis of

holistic environmental tourism• It is a powerful new tool for

sustainable, regional economic development

• Geotourism (and Geoparks) have much to offer Australia’s regional communities

56

GeotourismProfessor Ross Dowling OAM

Edith Cowan University

Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco ConferenceRottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015