5/8/2019

The Geotourism Strategy 5/8/2019 Uniting Culture, Nature, Preservation, and Economics: The Geotourism Strategy National Geographic Society Center for Sustainable Destinations

DESTINATION TOURISM STYLES DIFFER IN RELATION TO PLACE 5/8/2019 DESTINATION TOURISM STYLES DIFFER IN RELATION TO PLACE R & R Entertain-ment Touring Three overlapping tourism styles, dependent upon the character of a place

5/8/2019 Touring-style tourism Depends on human and physical character of place. ACTIVITIES sightseeing history nature scenery hiking / Nordic skiing local shopping typical cuisine photography etc. CHARACTERISTICS Diffuse impact Supports small businesses Requires protecting nature and heritage Needs architecture, landscapes, cuisine, etc. distinctive to the locale. First, touring, which is the origin of the word “tourism.” Depends on both human and physical qualities of a place, whether enjoying….

5/8/2019 Natural locale as with a hike through….. OR

5/8/2019 Experiencing the human heritage at a site site like Machu Picchu. “Touring” style tourism tends to have fewer negative impacts on the locale while providing more benefit for local businesses and residents; is about all the qualities that add up to character of place.

R & R tourism Depends only on physical character of place. 5/8/2019 R & R tourism Depends only on physical character of place. CHARACTERISTICS Risk of sprawl Environmental impacts Opportunity for architecture, landscaping, cuisine, day tours, etc., that suit the locale. . ACTIVITIES coastal resorts golf downhill skiing water sports vacation homes Next type of tourism = R and R, for rest and relaxation, depends on the physical aspects of a place and the activities that can be enjoyed there

5/8/2019 You have to have beaches….

Entertainment-style tourism Does not depend on character of place. 5/8/2019 Entertainment-style tourism Does not depend on character of place. ACTIVITIES theme parks outlet malls amusement parks convention centers sports arenas casinos CHARACTERISTICS Changes nature of locale; high impact. High employment generator. Mass tourism; high traffic. Entertainment style tourism is travel for entertainment’s sake -- amusement parks, casinos, outlet shopping malls; is not depending on the character of a place and can in fact be situated anywhere. Even in the middle of a desert.

5/8/2019

DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . . if development unchecked, unguided 5/8/2019 DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . . if development unchecked, unguided Touring R & R Entertain-ment When tyourism development is unmanaged, unguided, the market forces of supply often begin to change the character of the place. Eventually it loses many of the qualities that attracted people in the first place. Unspoiled destination— tourism based on place SPOILED?Placeless

5/8/2019 ???

5/8/2019 geotourism Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place— its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. What is geotourism? (def.) More than ecotourism, which is traditionally nature-based; more than sustainable tourism because it speaks to the possibility of enhancing unique aspects of a place

Tourism and sustainability 5/8/2019 Tourism and sustainability GEOTOURISM: Now, celebrate the place UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM : • Overcrowding • Lower quality of experience • Loss of distinctiveness • Erosion of culture and environment SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: First, do no harm.

From eco- to geo- GEOTOURISM 5/8/2019 From eco- to geo- GEOTOURISM Manage tourism so that it pays to protect the place, not destroy it. Sightseeing Cultural tourism ECOTOURISM: nature Local cuisine Heritage tourism AGRI- TOURISM Indigenous tourism All place-based types of tourism

5/8/2019 FLORA AND FAUNA

5/8/2019 HISTORY

5/8/2019 ARCHAEOLOGY

5/8/2019 SCENIC PLACES

5/8/2019 GEOLOGY

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE 5/8/2019 TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

5/8/2019 LOCAL MUSIC

5/8/2019 CUISINE

5/8/2019 LOCAL CRAFTS

5/8/2019 DANCES

5/8/2019 ARTS

geotourism Tourism that sustains or enhances the 5/8/2019 geotourism Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place— its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.

5/8/2019

5/8/2019 geotourism Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place— its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

RESTORATIVE 5/8/2019

5/8/2019 CONSTRUCTIVE

5/8/2019

The Geotourism Charter 5/8/2019 The Geotourism Charter A set of principles to promote sustainable tourism and enlightened destination stewardship.

5/8/2019 Honduras First country to make geotourism its national tourism strategy. Geotourism Charter signed 22 Oct 2004

5/8/2019 Norway Geotourism Charter signed 31 Aug 2005

5/8/2019 Romania Geotourism Charter signed 27 Sept. 2005

World Wilderness Congress 5/8/2019 World Wilderness Congress Geotourism Charter endorsed Oct. 2005

Arizona, U.S.A. and Sonora, Mexico 5/8/2019 Arizona, U.S.A. and Sonora, Mexico Geotourism Charter signed Dec. 2005

Cook Islands 5/8/2019 Geotourism Charter signed August 2006

A Geotourism Strategy • Identify • Sustain • Develop • Market 5/8/2019 A Geotourism Strategy • Identify • Sustain • Develop • Market geotourism assets

Geotourism Stewardship Council includes: 5/8/2019 Geotourism Stewardship Council includes: Community organizations for. . . • historic preservation • nature & ecotourism • traditional performing arts • farm/restaurant programs • beautification programs • urban renewal • local government • tourism and local businesses • tourism promotion Members of proposed geotourism councils are motivated by their own missions to remain engaged after the map is completed. Councils are currently expected to have no permanent official relationship with NGS.

Marketing Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Marketing Geotourism Assets To ensure sustained demand Plan not for “tourism,” but for which tourists. Concentrate on geotourism segments

5/8/2019 The Geotourists NGT and TIA teamed up to find out; this is what we believe to be the first study that asked people about the activities they do while traveling and then correlated these answers with their attitudes about sustainability; found that over half of the American traveling public think it’s harder to find unspoiled places than it used to be; 3/4 say they don’t want their visits to harm the environment

5/8/2019 Cluster analysis revealed Four of eight segments did most of the travel and spent most of the money; from the destination’s point of view, these are the most important segments Three of these four, plus one more, were very interested in sustainability; THESE are the geotourists; they enjoy aspects of a place that make it distinctive, unique; they are more likely to take measures to protect the environment while they travel

NUMBER OF TRIPS HH INCOME 5/8/2019 Household income and number of trips by segment; Four geotourist segments Three segments total 55 million adults and control half the household income of all US travelers MEAN GEO-SAVVYS URBAN SOPHIS-TICATES SELF-INDUL-GENTS GOOD CITIZENS OUTDOOR SPORTS-MEN APA-THETICS TRADI- TIONALISTS WISHFUL THINKERS

Identifying Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Identifying Geotourism Assets

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

Sustaining Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Sustaining Geotourism Assets Protect the tourism product!

Geotourism Charter principles: 5/8/2019 Geotourism Charter principles: General goals • Integrity of place: Sustain and enhance geographical character

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place 5/8/2019 Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place • Conservation of resources: Promote environmental management plans for energy, pollution, lighting, etc.

5/8/2019

5/8/2019 Global warming

Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place 5/8/2019 Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place • Conservation of resources: Promote environmental management plans for energy, pollution, lighting, etc. • Land use: Avoid sprawling, excessive development; contain high-density in clusters; provide affordable housing

5/8/2019

Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place 5/8/2019 Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place • Conservation of resources: Promote environmental management plans for energy, pollution, lighting, etc. • Land use: Avoid sprawling, excessive development; contain high-density in clusters; provide affordable housing • Promote destination appeal: Protect natural habitats, heritage sites, aesthetics, culture; avoid overcrowding

5/8/2019

5/8/2019 Billboards are bad enough; advertising an “ecotour” on one is inexcusable.

5/8/2019

Developing Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Developing Geotourism Assets Build on character of place.

5/8/2019 CONSTRUCTIVE

5/8/2019 CONSTRUCTIVE

Geotourism Principles: Place and People 5/8/2019 Geotourism Principles: Place and People • Community involvement: Base tourism on community assets • Community benefit: Encourage small business strategies and upward employment mobility

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

Identifying Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Identifying Geotourism Assets Engage the community—all ages, walks of life. Use a catalytic project • place-based festivals and events • geotourism information projects (such as map guides) Create a permanent program for engaging residents and visitors, coordinated by an independent Geotourism Stewardship Council. Organize ongoing digital media feed.

Sustaining Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Sustaining Geotourism Assets Establish a tourism management plan, including limits. Establish development guidelines, including • conservation and preservation policies • aesthetic policies, with room for innovation. Ensure the community benefits.

Developing Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Developing Geotourism Assets Build on character of place. People are the best resource. Research the past, research the ecosystem, research skills and traditions distinctive to the area. Visitors should leave with stories to tell.

Marketing Geotourism Assets 5/8/2019 Marketing Geotourism Assets To ensure sustained demand Plan not for “tourism,” but for which tourists. Seek tourist segments with best cost/benefit ratio. Measure success by benefit, NOT headcount!

Marketing Geotourism Assets 2 5/8/2019 Marketing Geotourism Assets 2 Tell great stories. Enhance sense of place, through • Geotourism Stewardship Council, • private enterprise, • conservation and preservation • civic participation

The Geotourism MapGuide 5/8/2019 The Geotourism MapGuide A catalyst for constructive, sustainable tourism.

5/8/2019

5/8/2019 Geotourism MapGuides • 3 to 5 year shelf life, easy to update Can coordinate with websites and GPS-enabled handhelds Informs both visitors and residents Local alliance continues as destination stewardship council Dual purpose: 1. Creates a marketing/educational map; 2. Serves as an awareness-raising catalyst for destination stakeholders.

5/8/2019

The Sonoran Desert Geotourism MapGuide 5/8/2019 The Sonoran Desert Geotourism MapGuide

Geoturismo en el Desierto Sonorense 5/8/2019 Geoturismo en el Desierto Sonorense Proyecto de Colaboración Internacional

Geotourism Stewardship Councils 5/8/2019 Geotourism Stewardship Councils Arizona GSC- First meeting in Tucson, Arizona Sonora GSC - First meeting in Ures, Sonora

Vermont NE Kingdom project 5/8/2019 Vermont NE Kingdom project

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada-USA: 5/8/2019 Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada-USA: Transborder geotourism pilot project for World Heritage destinations and public-land areas

GPS-enabled geotourism handhelds 5/8/2019 GPS-enabled geotourism handhelds Destination communities Travelers Whether on paper or online, Participatory Geotourism MapGuides actively involve people of the destination, which promotes buy-in. Residents are thus as important as audience as the outside geotourists to whom the information is directed.

5/8/2019 The geotourism test: Are we sustaining or enhancing the character of our place?

5/8/2019 www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/

Geotourism Virtuous Circle 5/8/2019 Geotourism Virtuous Circle Place-based tourism Community benefit Motive to protect and enhance

X X X The Circle Broken Place-based tourism Community benefit 5/8/2019 The Circle Broken X Leakage; irresponsible business practices Place-based tourism Community benefit X Benefits too selective, or not apparent X Obstacles to protection Motive to protect and enhance

5/8/2019

Index of Destination Stewardship 5/8/2019 Index of Destination Stewardship 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

5/8/2019

54 Aruba 52 Outer Banks 49 Great Smoky Mtns 46 Costa Brava 5/8/2019 54 Aruba 52 Outer Banks 49 Great Smoky Mtns 46 Costa Brava 41 Costa del Sol

68 Guanajuato 66 Machu Pichu 63 Cape Cod 61 Mont-St.-Michel 5/8/2019 This is Mt St Michel, which is now beginning to work on the siltation problem you see here. [clicks] . . . Salvador ‘s Pelourinho district scored just above mid-range—strong on lively activities, but still in need of repairs and more involvement by local Bahians.

74 Vermont Quebec City old town 5/8/2019 82 Norwegian fjords 74 Vermont Quebec City old town 71 Tuscany Dubrovnik . . . Norway’s fjords did best, aided by their high-latitude, lightly trafficked location. More significant, perhaps, are places that score well even while handling large numbers of tourists , such as Tuscany and Vermont.

5/8/2019

5/8/2019

The TOP 88: Gwaii Haanas, BC 78: Apostle Is., Wisc. 5/8/2019 The TOP 88: Gwaii Haanas, BC 78: Apostle Is., Wisc. STILL OK 66: Antietam, Md. 62: Cumberland Island, Ga. FACING 55: Hot Springs, Ark. TROUBLE 51: Gettysburg, Pa. 50: Outer Banks The BOTTOM 48: Shenandoah, Va. 40: Great Smokies 34: Everglades