Eastern Newfoundland Geotourism MapGuide Project The Eastern Newfoundland MapGuide, created through a collaborative process, will highlight the natural, historic...

geo  tour  ism n: tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents

How it works

Who we are What makes us special Our sense of place

Share Cape Race Days Tely Ten

Southern Shore Dinner Theater A Royal Shag Up Surprises

Experiences

Telling the Story

Inspiring Travelers

Time line (approximate) June Sample POI’s and site nominations Sept – Site Nomination Launch Dec 15- End of Site nominations Feb 15- Mid Term meeting with council April 1- Public site developed May 15 – finish debug and host roll out ( i.e. Titanic event?)

1. Select Overall Themes 2. Identify Potential Writers 3. Identify Iconic Intro Writer 4. Identify Theme Writer 5. Identify Interviewees 6. Edit Nominations 7. Determine 200 POI’S for NG Maps 8. GeoTraveler Tips 9. Next Steps

M AP G UIDE C ONTENTS Nominations Nominations Text Blocks Text Blocks Photography Photography Legend Legend Design Design Themes Themes Cartography Cartography

 851 "active" nominations –  Active means they have been approved and posted on the nominations site All information was submitted (Text, At least one Photo, Contacts, and Plotted on Map)   This doesn’t mean they are necessarily qualified for the longterm, but as a nomination, they met the basic criteria:   They were not obscene or generally unacceptable for obvious reasons   It was “GEOTOURISTIC” – authentic, local - a site that should receive consideration at initial glance (not a multi-level marketing scheme for Amway or something)

 104 "inactive" -  Inactive means that the content is not Active, nor has it been submitted to an Editor for review. A lot of the inactive content is stuff that people started on and didn’t finish.  28 “pending” – Pending means that the nominator has created the content and has submitted it to the Editor for review. The contributor felt that they wanted it to be considered and reviewed by the editor so they selected the “Submit to Editor” option in GeoConsensus  499 “active” Content contributors  (189 inactive contributors)

OUT - Eliminate nomination if it:  - Not in the NL region  - Does not fit the geotourism criteria/definition  - Is not what it says it is, is not true, is not in operation yet  - Is not safe (e.g., ???????)  - Sensitive Impact area - Not legal (private land, sacred site) - Not legal (private land, sacred site) Mark nomination if it: - Needs more or better content before it goes on the - Needs to be verified or fact checked IN - Reaches all criteria and is ready to go on the site

    Community     Natural Wonders     History     Adventure    

 THEMATIC Writer(s)  Iconic Introduction writer  Local Voices  Identify two people, appropriate for each theme, for the thematic writer to interview. Ideally these should be local people that a traveler would be apt to run into when traveling in the region. The goal is to create a connection between the reader and the place.

 1. Research Alternatives. Many businesses and service providers have policies that minimize their environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts.  2. Consider Your Mode of Transportation. Walk, bicycle, or use public transportation. Rent hybrid vehicles.   3. Respect Local Cultures. Be aware that you are travelling in a place of heightened social awareness. Respect and accept the differences of local people and other cultures. Learn about their customs, social norms, and environmental issues before you visit.   4. Spend Locally. Ensure that local people benefit from your travels. Visit locally owned businesses, buy locally produced foods and products, and use the services of tour operators, outfitters, and accommodations that employ local people.   5. Conserve Natural Resources. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Consider the water, energy, and waste disposal systems used     

 6. Honor Protected Areas. When visiting protected areas learn and follow all advisories, rules, and regulations. Remember the fees you pay to use these areas support local efforts to conserve them. Always respect the rights of local landowners and keep in mind that there are private lands mixed in with public lands.   7. Leave No Trace. Use the Leave No Trace guidelines as your recreation and adventure   8. Keep Wildlife Wild. Do not disturb wild animals or their habitat. Never chase, harass, or feed wildlife. Keep your distance and use binoculars.  9. Give Back. Find a local cause or project of interest and make a donation or volunteer your time.

 10. Explore. Your guidebook is just a starting point. Be open to local suggestions and new experiences. Consider visiting popular places at off peak times.   11. Travel Safely. Exercise caution – a lot of roads in the mountains are graveled or single lane roads. Road conditions can be extremely hazardous during inclement weather. Carry chains when visiting the mountains during the fall, winter and spring.   12. Safety First. Be prepared. Learn about local conditions before you venture out. Consider using a local guide. Dress in layers – it’s not uncommon to experience several seasons during the same day.   13. Fire Hazards. Find out if fires are permitted or if camp stoves are the only option before heading out for a camping trip.

The steps to develop a Geotourism mapguide The steps to develop a Geotourism mapguide 1. Organize Geotourism Stewardship Council 2. Establish website 3. Engage communities - geotourism forums, local outreach, media, 4. Create Geotourism MapGuide - catalytic program - informs, educates and involves local people and visitors - Gather site nominations - Gather site nominations - Edit, fact check - Edit, fact check - Choose site nominations to put on the map - Choose site nominations to put on the map - Identify text themes - Identify text themes - Write, design, and print map - Write, design, and print map 5. Distribute 6. Think beyond the map - engage GSC to identify what we do next

 1. Role of the ENL GSC  2. “Roll Out” Event  3. Enhance Website Distribution  4. Monetize the website

The GSC can be:  an existing DMO  an existing association that is taking on the responsibility to act as a DMO  an ad hoc group brought together for the purpose of creating and managing the Geotourism development process  an organization institutionalized for the same

2. “Roll Out” Event When Where

3. Enhance Website Distribution Greater visibility on NG.com Post Cards – send to NG.com subscriber lists E-newsletters – Sierra Nevada example Facebook Page – Sierra Nevada example APP – Geotourism Mobile MapGuide Geotourism Destination Acknowledgements Bookmarks / Table Tents Trade Shows and Conferences

Tools for visitors: Mobile Geotourism MapGuide

4. Monetize the Website Corporate Sponsorship – Appropriate Advertising Business on the site pay a fee for “hot links” Install a retail market space on the website for local services and locally-made goods that conform to Geotourism standards Develop National Geographic co-branded "Geotourism tours” - to each destination operated by a high end operator and bookable through a website portal 4.5- Integrate accommodation booking engine and attraction ticketing for Geotourism sites

How we will measure success Assessment through Geoconsensus – content contributors periodic self reporting Stakeholder Surveys – web site based / work groups Visitor surveys – web site / at visit points in the region Data interpretation and reporting in cooperation with Duke University – The Nicholas School of the Environment What we will measure; Key indicators Visitors /Length of stay / Income generation / benefits Local participation / public – private sector partnerships Measuring Success – How and what we will measure

Completed in Southern Ethiopia ETRV Lakes to Locks (NY, Que.) Four Corners Yosemite MapGuide In production Eastern Newfoundland Western Balkans Douro Valley of Portugal Starting Now Central America Bahamas Coming Soon Namibia, Heart of the Continent, Gulf States, Y to Y Completed Seven Western USA Projects – Sonora Desert (2006) Crown of the Continent (2007) Greater Yellowstone (2006) Central Cascades (2008) Redwood Coast (2009) Sierra Nevada (2010) Plus: Northeast Kingdom, Vt. (2006) Guatemala (2010) Peru – Vilcanota Valley (2009) Baja California, Mexico (2007) Montreal (2008)

Are we sustaining or enhancing the character of our place? nlgeotourism.com