geotourism, australia's national landscapes and regional development
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Geotourism and Australia's National Landscapes: enhancing regional development strategies, 2014 SEGRA ConferenceTRANSCRIPT
““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
Join EA’s LinkedIn ‘Australian Geotourism LinkedIn ‘Australian Geotourism Development’ Development’ Discussion Group!
http://tinyurl.com/k8lka5g