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Geotourism

Professor Ross Dowling OAM Edith Cowan University

Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco Conference

Rottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015

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Geotourism: A powerful new tool

for sustainable regional development

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Contents of Presentation

1. Geotourism

2. Geoparks

3. Case Study: Iceland

Wave Rock

Western Australia

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Three Global Geotourism Books

2006 2010

2010

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2008 - Australia

2010 - Malaysia

2011 – Oman

Three Global Conferences

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The Environment

‘ABC’ elements

Type of

Tourism

Abiotic

Landforms

Landscapes

Geotourism

Biotic

Animals (Fauna)

Plants (Flora)

Ecotourism

Cultural

People

Past & Present

Cultural

Tourism

The Environment and Tourism

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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 Alamayan

Mountain Pass, Oman

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Geotourism’s Key Components

1. 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

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1. Attractions

USA – Grand Canyon

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A large, sickle-shaped, natural amphitheatre

covering nearly 80 sq km (31 sq mi)

Australia - Wilpena Pound

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2. The Geological Context

Large

Small

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France – Reunion Island

Piton de la Furnace

Large

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The Sultanate of Oman - Al Hoota Cave

Medium

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Al Hoota Cave

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Access to Cave by Train

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Train journey to the cave

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Excellent Visitor Centre

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South Korea - Goseong County Small

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South Korea - Dinosaur Footprints

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Exhibition Centre

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3. Appropriate Interpretation In

terp

reta

tion

Form

Process

Time

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Form

Process Tourism’s

Features

Geology’s

Features

Wave Rock

Western Australia

Time

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South Korea - Mt Halla

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4. Biotic and Cultural Connectivity

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Cultural

Connection

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Cultural Connection

begins in the carpark

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5. Geoguides Passionate, Informed & Accredited

The Visitor Experience

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Abiotic

Biotic Cultural

Geotourism’s ‘ABC’

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Galapagos

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UNESCO Programs

Program

Sites

Countries

Man and the

Biosphere

651

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World Heritage

1031

163

Geoparks

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2. Geoparks

Geoparks are both a

development concept as well

as a branding tool. They

achieve these goals through

UNESCO’s Geoparks and:

1. Education

2. Science

3. Culture

4. Women

5. Sustainable Development [through geotourism]

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Geopark – Form and Process

No Level Appellation

1 Local Aspiring

2 National National

3 Regional eg. European

4 Global Global

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Global Geoparks Europe

China

&

Japan Iran

Malaysia

Canada

Brazil Indonesia

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European Geoparks

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Case Study – Iceland Geotourism is a vehicle for

Sustainable Regional Development

Attraction

Visitor Centre

Amenities

Café

Tours

Geotour

Kristbjorg Helga + Arnór Guðný

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Eyjafjallajökull

The volcano that stopped the world

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Eyjafjallajökull Erupts Visitor Centre

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Excellent Interpretation

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Interesting Exhibits

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Guðný provides a strong ‘Connection’

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Eastern Iceland

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A Farm Tour

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The Tour Guide – The Farmers Wife

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Vinaminni Kaffihús

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Owners Helga og Arnór

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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

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Geotourism

Professor Ross Dowling OAM Edith Cowan University

Geotourism Workshop - Global Eco Conference

Rottnest Island - Thursday 19 November 2015