Australia Malaysia 2011 Oman. Books. Journals. Contents of Presentation Geotourism an emerging opportunity for Western Australia

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1 Contents of Presentation Geotourism an emerging opportunity for Western Australia Ross Dowling Edith Cowan University Tourism Research Cluster Seminar Curtin University 13 May Definition 2. Characteristics 3. Iceland 4. Conclusions 1 Wave Rock Western Australia 2 Three Global Geotourism Books Books Jordan Portugal Journals Poland 2010 China Volcanoes 3 4 WA Books Geology Guides DPaWs Bush Books Geotourism Conferences Australia Malaysia 2011 Oman 5 6 1

2 7 8 Part 1 Defining Geotourism The environment comprises the following: 1. Abiotic non-living aspects such as the climate & geology eg. landscape and landforms 2. Biotic the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora (plants) 3. Cultural past & present, non-living & built Parts B+C are well interpreted within tourism, especially through ecotourism and cultural tourism, but A has typically not been addressed 9 The Environment The environment comprises the following: 1. Abiotic non-living aspects such as the climate & geology eg. landscape and landforms 2. Biotic the living parts eg. fauna (animals) and flora (plants) 3. Cultural past & present, non-living & built Parts B+C are well interpreted within tourism, especially through ecotourism and cultural tourism, but A has typically not been addressed 10 Tourism Tourism comprises the following: 1. Different Types or Forms of tourism eg. Ecotourism, Heritage Tourism, Geotourism 2. An underpinning Approach to tourism which is Sustainable Thus sustainability is the engine that drives all tourism be it an airline, a large hotel chain, or a small tourist attraction 11 Geotourism Geotourism is a new type of tourism that: 1. Starts with, or is based on, the Abiotic geological environment but also comprises Biological and Cultural elements 2. It is driven by tourism s sustainability focus meaning it has environmental, social and economic goals 3. Thus it can be used as a major tool for regional economic development 12 2

3 The Definition of Geotourism Geotourism is sustainable tourism which focuses on an area s geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment Geotourism Subcommittee Geological Society of Australia Geotourism The geological underpinning of geotourism is that it specifically focuses on geology and the landscape. Thus it promotes the: 1. Conservation of geodiversity 2. Understanding of earth sciences 3. Experiences of geosites Geotourism May Occur in Both Natural and Developed Environments Geotourism is more Tourism then Geology Natural Environments Developed Environments Natural Landscapes No / Few facilities Limited / Difficult Access Modified Landscapes Some / Many facilities Widespread / Easy Access Piton de la Furnace, Reunion Island Geoproducts Mt Kinabalu WHA, Sabah, Malaysia Using Malaysia as an example, geotourism occurs: In a World Heritage Area at Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo At a Roadside Cutting at Miri, Sarawak In the Langkawi Geopark, South east Asia s first Visitor Centre Sign

4 Interpretation Roadside Cutting Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia Langkawi Geopark Park Entrance Geopark Hotel Visitor Center The Elements of Geotourism 1. It is based on geological features 2. It conserves geoheritage 3. It develops geological tourism products 4. It creates high quality tourist experiences 5. It includes excellent interpretation 6. It contributes to local communities through sustainable tourism development The Context of Geotourism The Interpretation of Geotourism Interpretation separates geotourism from geology. The key elements of geotourism s interpretation include form, process & time 1. Form an understanding of the landforms and other geological features 2. Process a description of the ways in which the geological features were formed 3. Time a description of the geological era and length of time the features were formed always related to human time

5 Wave Rock Western Australia Tourism s Features Form Process Geology s Features Part 2 - Characteristics These include: 1. Emphasizing Geoconservation 2. Delivering Quality Products 3. Incorporating Risk Management 4. Interpreting Appropriately 5. Capitalizing on the Geoparks Brand Time Emphasizing Geoconservation 1. Geotourism fosters an understanding of geoheritage protection and conservation 2. The Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong is a champion in this regard 3. The sustainability element of Geotourism ensures that geoheritage is conserved 2. Delivering Quality Products Today s tourists are educated, aware and informed. This means that geo-products need to be: 1. Of high quality 2. Include up-to-date information 3. Be interesting and innovative 4. Be engaging South Korea - Goseong County Dinosaur Footprints

6 Exhibition Centre The Sultanate of Oman - Al Hoota Cave Al Hoota Cave Access to Cave by Train Train journey to the cave Excellent Visitor Centre

7 The Trail of Time The Trail of Time is the world s largest Geoscience exhibition at the world s grandest geologic landscape It is a 4.56km long trail marked at every meter with 1 m = 1 million years of earth s m year long geologic history It is also supported by an electronic Virtual Trail of Time The Opening of the Trail of Time Thursday 13 October

8 3. Incorporating Risk Management Galapagos, Ecuador 1. Tourists are travelling to more remote areas 2. Active volcanoes, glaciated zones, high mountains, hot deserts etc. 3. Therefore visitor safety is paramount 4. Risk Management Plans are essential for all geotours and geo-attractions 5. Risk Management is about protecting the geotourists, and the geosites Active Geotourism 4. Interpretation Excellence Interpretation is about connection. It includes: 1. Communication bringing items and events to life 2. Learning in order to facilitate understanding by revealing meaning 3. Values - by stimulating an appreciation of heritage 4. Action by involving or immersing people in their tour experience Head, Heart & Hand Excellent interpretation includes aspects of the head, heart and hand. That is: 1. Head learning about the geology of an area and its form, process and time 2. Heart connecting the visitor to the landscape in a way that captures their heart 3. Hand stimulates the visitor to want to do something for the environment through their new-found understanding and connection to the geological environment

9 49 50 Rock Pillars, Jeju Island Global Geopark, Korea Excellent Interpretation The Geoparks Brand Geoparks are both a development concept as well as a branding tool. They achieve these goals through: 1. Conservation 2. Education 3. Geotourism - UNESCO Protected Areas Program Sites Countries World Heritage Man and the Biosphere Geoparks

10 Geopark Form and Process Europe Global Geoparks No Level Appellation 1 Local Aspiring 2 National National Iran Malaysia China & Japan Canada Brazil 3 Regional eg. European 4 Global Global European Geoparks Chinese Geoparks The Geoparks Brand In China in the first decade there were over 1.1 billion visitors to geoparks (over 100 million visitors per annum) Entry fees were RMB 7 Billion ($1.5B) The geoparks generated permanent full time jobs and part time jobs In the United Kingdom the contribution of seven geoparks is 18.84m ($37m) Yuntaishan Geopark, China Economic Benefits The total income brought about by tourism is RMB 2291 million (AUD$470 million) This accounts for 32% of the local GDP The number of jobs generated by the geopark is The geopark has lifted the county out of poverty to become relatively well off

11 Geoparks Conferences Part 3 Geotourism in Iceland 13 th European Geoparks Conference Rokua, Finland, 3-6 September th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium San in Kaigan, Japan, September th International Conference on Global Geoparks English Riviera, September Earthquake Zones Summer School on Geotourism & Geoparks The Original Geyser Strokkur Geyser

12 Eyjafjallajökull Eyjafjallajökull Erupts Visitor Centre Excellent Interpretation Guðný provides a strong Connection Interesting Exhibits

13 Vestmannaeyjar Eruption Eldfell Erupted 1973 causing a 1.5km long volcanic fissure which split the island Elías Friðriksson in front of where his parent s home once stood Over the next five months it poured 30M tonnes of lava over Heimaey Destroyed 360 houses Created the brand new red cinder cone, Eldfell Eldfell Volcano, Vestmannaeyjar Eldfell

14 Worlds of Fire Geotourism Attraction Surtsey World Heritage Region Surtsey World Heritage Visitor Centre Surtsey WHC Reception Interpretation

15 Exhibits Geological Time Machine Geology Sustainable (Geo)tourism Development Vinaminni Kaffihús

16 Owners Helga og Arnór Bridge Between Two Continents Geotourism Attraction Straddling the Mid Atlantic Ridge Left: North America Right: Europe Midpoint

17 Part 4 WA s Geotourism Potential The Pinnacles Wave Rock Cape to Cape Walk A 135 km walk along a rugged coastline Castle Rock

18 Esperance Nature s Window, Kalbarri Mt Augustus Shark Bay, Western Australia Dirk Hartog Island 105 Photo from International Space Station 106 Francois Peron National Park Shark Bay World Heritage Region Ningaloo Reef

19 The Kimberley Purnululu Mitchell Falls King George Sound Conclusions Geoconservation Geoheritage Geotourism Geotourism is a business with both supply and demand elements Its aim is to sustainably add value to local or regional communities FACET s Conference 113 This value should be easily measured through economic indicators such as jobs and income

20 Conclusions Geotourism is a vehicle for Tourism Development Attraction Visitor Centre Amenity Café Tours Geotour Conclusions Geotourism is a rapidly growing form of sustainable tourism development Its growth is predicated on fostering geo-conservation, community wellbeing and local economic benefits It has direct application in Western Australia due to our ancient geology, diverse landscapes and tourism potential Guðný Helga + Arnór Kristbjorg Finally Geotourism and Geoparks have much to offer the regional communities of Western Australia This opportunity should be grasped by the relevant government departments FACET is a pioneer in geotourism and continues to promote it in WA Geotourism an emerging opportunity for Western Australia THE END Ross Dowling Edith Cowan University