Transcript The Geotourism Approach

National Geographic Society
Center for Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourism
Approach
geotourism
Tourism that sustains or enhances the
geographical character of a place—
its environment,
heritage,
aesthetics,
culture,
and the well-being of its residents.
DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . .
if development unchecked, unguided
Touring
Unspoiled
destination
R&R
Entertainment
SPOILED ?
geotourism

Tourism that sustains or enhances the
geographical character of a place—
its environment,
culture,
aesthetics,
heritage,
and the well-being of its residents.
FLORA AND FAUNA
HISTORIC AREAS
SCENIC
PLACES
TRADITIONAL
ARCHITECTURE
LOCAL MUSIC
CUISINE
LOCAL
CRAFTS
DANCES
ARTS
Many small/medium businesses
geotourism
Tourism that sustains or enhances the
geographical character of a place—
its environment,
culture,
aesthetics,
heritage,
and the well-being of its residents.
CONSTRUCTIVE
RESTORATIVE
SEGMENT SIZE
Pe r ce nt of 154
m illion w ho tr ave le d
in pas t 3 ye ar s
Economically
significant
segments
Geotourism
segments
Ur ban Sophis ticate s
13%
Good Citize ns
11%
Ge o-Savvys
11%
Tr aditionalis ts
11%
Se lf-Indulge nts
13%
Wis hful Think e r s
14%
Outdoor Spor ts m e n
14%
Apathe tics
13%
URBAN
SOPHISTICATES
SELFINDULGENTS
Index of Destination Stewardship
determined by expert panelist scores
SIX CRITERIA
• Environment
0-2 Catastrophic
• Cultural/social impact
3-4 In serious trouble
• Aesthetics
• Built heritage
• Tourism management
• General outlook
5-6 In moderate trouble
7-8 Minor difficulties
9 Authentic, unspoiled,
and likely to remain so
10 Enhanced
Honduras
first country to make geotourism
its national tourism strategy October 2004
Norway - second country, first in
Europe - September 2005
Romania - third country, Signed
geotourism charter on World Tourism
Day, September 27th, 2005
Arizona, USA / Sonora, Mexico – first
transnational geotourism alliance.
Signed Geotourism Charter on
December 3rd, 2005 at Border
Governors Conference in San Carlos,
Sonora, Mexico
Geotourism Principles:
signed 22 Oct 2004
General goals
• Integrity of place: Sustain and enhance geographical character
• International codes: Adhere to WTO code, ICOMOS charter
Geotourism Principles:
Follow and adjust the strategy
• Planning: Balance short-term economic needs against
long-term enhancement of geographical character
• Evaluation: Conduct regular reviews by all stakeholders.
Measure success by economic/social/environmental
benefit per tourist, NOT numbers of tourists.
Geotourism MapGuides
• 3 to 5 year shelf life, easy to update
• Can coordinate with websites
• Informs both visitors and residents
• Local alliance continues as destination stewardship council
Status
Published: Appalachia - 13 states
In creation: Suwannee Wilderness Trail, Florida
Arizona (US) - Sonora (Mexico)
Vermont - Northeast Kingdom
In discussion: Honduras
Peru - Sacred Valley
Norwegian fjords
Mexico - Sea of Cortes
Geotourism Tool Box
•
NGS community booklet on geotourism
• Web site development
• Gateway Community Toolkit
• Interpretive Planning
• Associated NG Traveler Guide book
•
NGS Expeditions - tours to the region
•
Education Programs
Innovative Partnerships
Creating a participatory planned Geotourism
MapGuide to benefit local people and
conserve and preserve the geotoruism
assets of the Sonora Desert border region
of Arizona and Mexico.
DOT Sonora, Mexico
DOT Arizona, USA
US Bureau of Land Management
Sonoran Institute