geotourism, australia's national landscapes and regional development

““Geotourism - a Tourism Growth Geotourism - a Tourism Growth Opportunity for Regional Opportunity for Regional

AustraliaAustralia””Geotourism Workshop, SEGRA 2014Geotourism Workshop, SEGRA 2014

1010thth October 2014 October 2014

Angus M RobinsonAngus M Robinson

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

Landscapes, natural heritage & the environment

What do we mean by geotourism?

Iconic Geotourism Experiences

Australia’s National Landscapes (and a Geopark)

Chinese Tourism to Regional Australia

Take Aways

Scenery and Geology - a 1938 MusingScenery and Geology - a 1938 Musing

SceneryScenery depends on land land structurestructure - in other words, its geologygeology..

Everyone interested in the countrysidecountryside, how it has taken shape, why it presents us with the varied beauties of mountain and woodland, river valleys and fertile meadows, is, if often unconsciously, appreciating its geology.geology.

A.E. TruemanProfessor of Geology, Glascow University

EnvironmentEnvironmentThe environment comprises the following:The environment comprises the following:

1. 1. AAbioticbiotic – non-living aspects such as the climate & – non-living aspects such as the climate & geology e.g. landscape and landforms: geology e.g. landscape and landforms: GEODIVERSITYGEODIVERSITY

2. 2. BBioticiotic – the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora – the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora (plants): (plants): BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

3. 3. CCultural ultural – past & present, non-living & built– past & present, non-living & built

Parts Parts B+CB+C are well interpreted within tourism, especially are well interpreted within tourism, especially through ecotourism and cultural tourism, through ecotourism and cultural tourism, but but AA has has typically not been addressedtypically not been addressed

Source: Dowling, 2013

Key Concepts – Ecotourism Key Concepts – Ecotourism

According to Ecotourism Australia, ecotourism is ecologically sustainable ecologically sustainable tourismtourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areasexperiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

Geotourism incorporating Geotourism incorporating all types of ‘place-based’ tourismall types of ‘place-based’ tourismNational Geographic PerspectiveNational Geographic Perspective

Boley, B.B. after Thompson, S. 2009

Sightseeing

Cuisine

AgritourismIndigenou

sTourism

HeritageTourism

CulturalTourism

ECOTOURISM

GeotourismGeotourismi.e. ‘experientiali.e. ‘experiential tourism’tourism’

Geotourism Characteristics Geotourism Characteristics

Geological DefinitionGeological Definition

‘'Geotourism is sustainable tourism which focuses on an area's geology and landscapegeology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment'’.

Geotourism - as Geotourism - as oneone of the components of of the components of the many types of ‘place-based’ tourismthe many types of ‘place-based’ tourism

‘Geological’ Perspective‘Geological’ Perspective

Sightseeing

Cuisine

AgritourismIndigenou

sTourism

HeritageTourism

CulturalTourism

Ecotourism

GeotourismGeotourism

Geotourism – Potential MarketsGeotourism – Potential MarketsTourism Industry ViewTourism Industry View

‘‘Experiential’ Experiential’ Domestic TravellersDomestic Travellers

Geologists/Geomorphologists/Geologists/Geomorphologists/SpeleologistsSpeleologists/Paleontologists/PaleontologistsSchool School

GroupsGroups

‘‘Experiential’Experiential’ Overseas Overseas

TravellersTravellers Geopark Geopark InterestsInterests

Geotourism (Geological Tourism) - Geotourism (Geological Tourism) - StakeholdersStakeholders

GeotourismGeotourism

GeomorphologistsGeomorphologists

Local GovtLocal Govt

Flora/FaunaFlora/FaunaInterestsInterests

GeographersGeographers

‘‘Geologists’Geologists’(Various types)(Various types)

LandownersLandowners

Geol Surveys/Geol Surveys/Planning Agencies/Planning Agencies/

Park ManagersPark ManagersTour OperatorsTour Operators

Govt TourismGovt TourismAgenciesAgencies

Geotourism – Diversity of SitesGeotourism – Diversity of Sites

GeotourismGeotourism

IconsIcons

((Inc National Landscapes)Inc National Landscapes)

Mine SitesMine SitesNational Parks/Reserves/National Parks/Reserves/

Urban ParksUrban Parks

Geo-trailsGeo-trails

Geo-sitesGeo-sites

Geoparks/Geoparks/PaleoParksPaleoParks

Caves/Karst AreasCaves/Karst Areas

Landforms

WHAsWHAs

Iconic Sites for Iconic Sites for GeotourismGeotourism

GalapagosGalapagos, Ecuador

Grand CanyonGrand Canyon, USA

16 National Landscapes & 1 Geopark16 National Landscapes & 1 Geopark, Australia

Chinese GlobalGlobal GeoparksGeoparks

Galapagos, Ecuador

Branding ‘Iconic’ Geotourism –Branding ‘Iconic’ Geotourism –Ensuring a Memorable Experience!Ensuring a Memorable Experience!

Australia’s National Landscapes Australia’s National Landscapes ProgramProgram

Partnership between tourism and conservation that aims to:

Promote world class, high quality world class, high quality visitor experiences Increase the value of tourism to regional economiesvalue of tourism to regional economies Enhance the role of protected areas role of protected areas in those economies Build support for protecting our natural and cultural assets protecting our natural and cultural assets

A long term strategic approach

To differentiate Australia’s To differentiate Australia’s iconic natural and cultural iconic natural and cultural destinations from anything destinations from anything else available in the worldelse available in the world.

Iconic ‘Continental’ National LandscapesIconic ‘Continental’ National Landscapes

Alice Springs

Uluru

Red Centre

Iconic Geotourism Themes of the Red Iconic Geotourism Themes of the Red Centre National LandscapeCentre National Landscape

AA: Landforms and ancient geology: Landforms and ancient geology

BB: Red Kangaroo species, and other flora/fauna: Red Kangaroo species, and other flora/fauna

CC: Indigenous (and European) culture: Indigenous (and European) culture

Flinders RangesFlinders Ranges

Greater Blue Mountains

Australian Alps

Iconic ‘Hinterland’Iconic ‘Hinterland’National LandscapesNational Landscapes

Australia’s Timeless North

The Kimberley

Ningaloo

Shark Bay

Ningaloo – Shark Bay

Great Southwest Edge

Great Ocean Road

Great Southwest Edge

Wet Wet TropicsTropics

Australia’s Green CauldronAustralia’s Green Cauldron

Australia’s Coastal Wilderness

Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour

Photo: D.Finnegan/Office of Environment and Heritage

Iconic ‘Island’ Iconic ‘Island’ National LandscapesNational Landscapes

Island of Tasmania

Kangaroo IslandKangaroo Island

Core Elements of a GeoparkCore Elements of a Geopark

A GEOPARKGEOPARK achieves its goals of fostering local developmentfostering local development through a three-pronged approach:

GEOCONSERVATIONGEOCONSERVATION: A GEOPARK seeks to conserve significant geological features, and explore and demonstrate methods for excellence in conservation. EDUCATIONEDUCATION: A GEOPARK organises activities and provides logistic support to communicate geoscientific knowledge and environmental concepts to the public. GEOTOURISMGEOTOURISM: A GEOPARK stimulates economic activity and sustainable development through geotourism.

KanawinkaKanawinkaGeoparkGeopark

GeoparksGeoparks

* 111 111 GlobalGlobal Geoparks Geoparks* 30 in China* 30 in China* None in Australia* None in Australia

Some Geomorphic Highlights Kanawinka Geopark – Victoria and South Australia

Geotourism in ChinaGeotourism in China

29 Global Geoparks29 Global Geoparks

45 World Heritage Areas45 World Heritage Areas, of which 10 are , of which 10 are natural heritage sites, and nine of these are natural heritage sites, and nine of these are accredited because of their outstanding accredited because of their outstanding geology and landscapesgeology and landscapes

Over 320 Provincial GeoparksOver 320 Provincial Geoparks, of which over , of which over 200 have already gained national status200 have already gained national status

72 National Mining Parks 72 National Mining Parks preserving the preserving the relics and geological features of minesrelics and geological features of mines

Tianzhushan Global Geopark, Anhui ProvinceTianzhushan Global Geopark, Anhui Province

Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Immersed in the landscape & geology – Tianzhushan Global Geopark Geopark

Tourism Growth from China Tourism Growth from China

China is Australia’s fastest growing China is Australia’s fastest growing inbound tourism market inbound tourism market and the largest contributor to international visitor spending in Australia (A$5 billion in 2013), predicted to rise to A$13 billion by 2020.

Overall satisfaction of Chinese tourists in Australia is generally high

77% cited natural attractions as the 77% cited natural attractions as the single best attraction of Australiasingle best attraction of Australia

Sources: Hurun Report, January 2013; Tourism Australia, January 2014

Tourism Growth from China Tourism Growth from China

Australia is the number one destination of Australia is the number one destination of choice choice for high-end Chinese travellers high-end Chinese travellers according to a recent Hong Kong survey.

A recent report found that 97 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad in 2013 and that number is expected to surpass 100 million this year.

Chinese tourists spend more on international spend more on international travel than any other countrytravel than any other country, spending an estimated US$129 billion in 2014.

Source: Cimigo, September 2014

Characteristics of Chinese FITs Characteristics of Chinese FITs

Chinese travellers are not afraid to travel are not afraid to travel long distanceslong distances, with 61 per cent naming Australia as their preferred destination

Chinese luxury travellers are travelling are travelling further afield to more exotic locationsfurther afield to more exotic locations, and looking to gain different ‘soft adventure’ ‘soft adventure’ experiencesexperiences, including hot air ballooning, white water rafting, jet boating and mountain climbing.

Nature-based tourism (geotourism) Nature-based tourism (geotourism) still a big draw-card for Australia.

Source: Cimigo, September 2014

Take-AwaysTake-Aways

1. The incorporation of the geotourism experience (with traditional nature tourism and traditional nature tourism and elements of other ‘place based’ tourism)elements of other ‘place based’ tourism) creates a more holistic experience, and is a move towards the experiential tourism modelexperiential tourism model. In short, ‘experiential’ tourists seek memorable memorable experiencesexperiences.

2.2. Chinese high value tourists are seeking to visit Chinese high value tourists are seeking to visit exotic destinations.exotic destinations.

Take-AwaysTake-Aways

3.3. Australia’s National Landscapes Australia’s National Landscapes and many other regional areas of Australia are key ‘exotic’ ‘exotic’ places where geotourism is centre stagewhere geotourism is centre stage.

4. Australia has a big future for geotourism big future for geotourism particularly given the emerging demand from overseas markets including China,(and overseas markets including China,(and traditional markets such as the USA and traditional markets such as the USA and Europe).Europe).

5.5. But But we must build capacitywe must build capacity into our tourism into our tourism infrastructure – infrastructure – more regional development!more regional development!

Contact DetailsContact Details

angus@leisuresolutions.com.au

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