Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
with
ora and fauna, the cultivated landscape, and present
land use. They view sustainability and environmental edu-
cation as integral parts.
Boley (
2009
) states that geotourism
focused on the distinctiveness of a place, avoiding the
destructive pitfalls of undifferentiated global mass tourism.
Geotourism development at the local and regional levels
must be developed within the context of sustainable local,
national and international tourism development. At the local,
regional and national levels, development policies, plans and
programs, laws and regulations, and marketing, all in
s mission is to pre-
serve the geographical character of the destination which
differentiates it from other forms of sustainable tourism.
Instead of focusing on one speci
'
c dimension of the travel
experience such as the environment, community or culture,
geotourism encompasses various types of travel experiences
into one distinctness that focuses on sustaining the geo-
graphical character of the destination. It is bene
uence
sustainable tourism development. The three main principles
of sustainable development which can also be applied to
regional geotourism development planning are its concen-
tration on ecological, social and economic issues (Dowling
2009a
). Dowling goes on to stress that geotourism will only
be sustainable where there are bene
cial for both
the tourist and local population because it provides tourists
with an authentic experience while the destination
s unique
virtues are preserved. By accentuating the unique features of
the travel destination, geotourism ideally should provide a
tourism industry that protects the region
'
s identity while
providing an authentic travel experience.
It is best to view geotourism as a holistic form of sus-
tainable tourism that incorporates themes from various types
of sustainable tourism segments such as integrated rural
tourism, cultural and heritage tourism and community-based
tourism. The desire to experience pristine natural areas
without negatively impacting on them is borrowed from
ecotourism. The desire to experience unique cultural heritage
is adapted from culture (Boley
2009
). Robinson (
2009
)
points out that geotourism is an ecologically sustainable
tourism that explains the scenery in terms of how geological
processes formed the patterns that can be observed in
landforms in a plethora of landscapes such as mountains,
deserts and islands, and in the rock outcrops that can be
observed in coastal cliffs, creeks, road cuttings, lookouts,
quarries, mine sites, and through walks in national parks. As
most of these are erosional sites, none need to be ecologi-
cally challenged. It should be added here that the potential
impact of increasing world tourism is immense, and this
should preclude, or at least severely restrict, its involvement
with wilderness areas.
Global tourism must be ecologically sustainable, and
shifting the emphasis from other forms of sustainable tour-
ism like ecotourism to geotourism represents a positive step
towards more sustainable global tourism. National Geo-
graphical Centre for Sustainable Destinations documents
that geotourism is sustainable tourism energised. It sustains,
but it can also enhance by means of restorative and con-
structive forms of tourism that
'
ts for the host com-
munity, and these may be social and/or cultural, and envi-
ronmental and will not necessarily be con
ned to economic
benets.
2.2
The Geotourism Charter
The National Geographical Society has developed a geo-
tourism charter based on 11 principles (National Geographic
2010
).
Integrity of place
: Enhance geographical character by
developing and improving it in ways distinctive to the locale,
re
ective of its natural and cultural heritage, so as to
encourage market differentiation and cultural pride.
International codes
: Adhere to the principles embodied in
the World Tourism Organization
s Global Code of Ethics for
Tourism and the Principles of the Cultural Tourism Charter
established by the International Council on Monuments and
Sites (ICOMOS).
Market selectivity
: Encourage growth in tourism market
segments most likely to appreciate, respect, and disseminate
information about the distinctive assets of the locale.
Tourist satisfaction
: Ensure that satis
'
ed, excited geot-
ourists bring new vacation stories home and send friends off
to experience the same thing,
thus providing continuing
demand for the destination.
Community involvement
: Base tourism on community
resources to the extent possible, encouraging local small
businesses and civic groups to build partnerships to promote
and provide a distinctive, honest visitor experience andmarket
their locales effectively. Help businesses develop approaches
to tourism that build on the area
'
t the nature of the destina-
tion. Tourist revenue can help to restore historic districts, for
instance, and support local crafts. It can help to preserve and
develop local cuisines, based on distinctively local ingredi-
ents supplied by local farmers. It can help to retain tradi-
tional cultural celebrations and performing arts that would
otherwise disappear. It can help to beautify unattractive
places and enrich poor places. It does those things best when
s nature, history and culture,
including food and drink, artisanry, performance arts, etc.
Community bene
t
: Encourage micro- to medium-size
enterprises and tourism business strategies that emphasize
economic and social bene
ts to involved communities,
especially poverty alleviation, with clear communication of
the destination stewardship policies required to maintain
those bene
ts.
