'Involving people in geodiversity'

Geotourism

Geodiversity has the potential to offer new opportunities for visitors, and may serve to widen visitors' understanding of the surrounding environment. Geological attractions range from areas with spectacular and popular geological scenery such as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, to areas that run geology-related activities such as geological trails or fossil hunts. It is important that geotourism is sustainable, in terms of its impact on geodiversity, the surrounding environment and the local community. Underlining this, the European Geopark Network (and now Global Geoparks) has a strong focus on the contribution that geodiversity makes to sustainable economic growth, in particular through geotourism.

The case studies discussed included, from England, the Yorkshire's Dinosaur Coast community projects, the future direction of the 'Dinosaur Isle' museum on the Isle of Wight, and successes of the recently inscribed Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (the 'Jurassic Coast'). Innovative initiatives being employed by Naracoorte Caves National Park in Australia, and the aims of Messel Pit Fossil Site in Germany were also considered.

Some of these case studies are long-established (geo-) tourism sites, such as the 'Dinosaur Isle' museum, which has a history dating back to the 1850s. The museum has had success with visits, talks and fieldtrips for schools and specialist groups, and with public events in the holiday season. To encourage more local support and make better use of its resources it is now looking at ways of diversifying, and running partnership-based events by building links with other areas of natural history and archaeology. Other case studies, such as Messel Pit, have no current tourism infrastructure and are seeking guidance on how to encourage visitors and develop a marketing strategy. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1995, Messel Pit is primarily an industrial site and has only recently started to consider the potential tourism opportunities its status could offer.

The case studies demonstrated that geotourism involves not only visitors in geodiversity, but also local people, groups and businesses. Local support for a site or resource has proved to be particularly important, since it is this support which provides the local services, from restaurants and hotels to shops and transport, necessary for success. Local businesses in turn benefit from the visitors that the site or resource attracts, and from geotourism initiatives that may extend the normal tourism season.

The benefits of geotourism are primarily financial and economic. Geotourism has the potential to boost the local economy and provide employment. In addition it can be used to educate visitors and raise awareness, of both the site and sustainable and environmental issues. Some schemes, particularly community projects for disadvantaged groups may have the added benefit of helping improve personal self-esteem of those involved.

Details of the presentations given are provided below. Where a summary is provided click on the link to view.

Jane Mee. The Yorkshire Dinosaur Coast community Projects – click here to view summary

Marie-Luise Frey. The Messel Experience

Martin Munt. Dinosaur Isle and Tourism on the Isle of Wight – click here to view summary

Steven Bourne. Tourism at Naracoorte Caves – click here to view summary