The Geotourism Approach

1
(No Transcript)
2
National Geographic Society Center for Sustainabl
e Destinations

The Geotourism Approach
3
geotourism

• Tourism that sustains or enhances the
  geographical character of a place its
  environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture,
  and the well-being of its residents.

4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . . if development
unchecked, unguided
Touring
R R
Entertain-ment
Unspoiled destination
SPOILED ?
9
geotourism

• Tourism that sustains or enhances the
  geographical character of a place its
  environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage,
  and the well-being of its residents.

10
FLORA AND FAUNA
11
HISTORIC AREAS
12
SCENIC PLACES
13
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
14
LOCAL MUSIC
15
CUISINE
16
LOCAL CRAFTS
17
DANCES
18
ARTS
Many small/medium businesses
19
geotourism

• Tourism that sustains or enhances the
  geographical character of a place its
  environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage,
  and the well-being of its residents.

20
CONSTRUCTIVE
21
RESTORATIVE
22
Geotourism segments
Economically significant segments
23
(No Transcript)
24
MEAN
TRADI- TIONALISTS
GEO-SAVVYS
URBAN SOPHIS-TICATES
SELF-INDUL-GENTS
GOOD CITIZENS
OUTDOOR SPORTS-MEN
APA-THETICS
WISHFUL THINKERS
25
(No Transcript)
26
Index of Destination Stewardshipdetermined by
expert panelist scores

• SIX CRITERIA
• Environment
• Cultural/social impact
• Aesthetics
• Built heritage
• Tourism management
• General outlook

• 0-2 Catastrophic
• 3-4 In serious trouble
• 5-6 In moderate trouble
• 7-8 Minor difficulties
• 9 Authentic, unspoiled, and likely to
  remain so
  
• 10 Enhanced

27
(No Transcript)
28
Hondurasfirst country to make geotourism its
national tourism strategy - October 2004
Norway - second country, first in Europe -
September 2005 Romania - third country, Signed ge
otourism 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
29
Geotourism Principles signed 22 Oct 2004
General goals
Integrity of place Sustain and enhance
geographical character
International codes Adhere to WTO code, ICOMOS
charter
30
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.
31
(No Transcript)
32
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

33
Status
Published Appalachia - 13 states
In creation Suwannee Wilderness Trail,
Florida Arizona (US) - Son
ora (Mexico) Vermont - Nor
theast Kingdom
In discussion Honduras
Peru - Sacred Valley Norwegian fjords
Mexico - Sea of Cortes


34
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

35

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
36
(No Transcript)