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2. The Geotourism Strategy
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Uniting Culture, Nature, Preservation, and Economics:
The Geotourism Strategy
National Geographic Society
Center for Sustainable Destinations

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

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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….

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Natural locale as with a hike through….. OR

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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.

7. R & R tourism Depends only on physical character of place.
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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

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You have to have beaches….

9. Entertainment-style tourism Does not depend on character of place.
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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.

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11. DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . . if development unchecked, unguided
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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

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???

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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

14. Tourism and sustainability
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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.

15. From eco- to geo- GEOTOURISM
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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

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FLORA AND FAUNA

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HISTORY

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ARCHAEOLOGY

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SCENIC PLACES

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GEOLOGY

21. TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
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TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

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LOCAL MUSIC

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CUISINE

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LOCAL CRAFTS

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DANCES

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ARTS

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

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

30. RESTORATIVE
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CONSTRUCTIVE

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33. The Geotourism Charter
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The Geotourism Charter
A set of principles to promote sustainable tourism and enlightened destination stewardship.

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

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Norway
Geotourism Charter signed 31 Aug 2005

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Romania
Geotourism Charter signed 27 Sept. 2005

37. World Wilderness Congress
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World Wilderness Congress
Geotourism Charter endorsed Oct. 2005

38. Arizona, U.S.A. and Sonora, Mexico
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Arizona, U.S.A. and Sonora, Mexico
Geotourism Charter signed Dec. 2005

39. Cook Islands
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Geotourism Charter signed August 2006

40. A Geotourism Strategy • Identify • Sustain • Develop • Market
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A Geotourism Strategy • Identify • Sustain • Develop • Market
geotourism assets

41. Geotourism Stewardship Council includes:
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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.

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

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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

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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

45. 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

46. Identifying Geotourism Assets
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Identifying Geotourism Assets

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50. Sustaining Geotourism Assets
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Sustaining Geotourism Assets
Protect the tourism product!

51. Geotourism Charter principles:
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Geotourism Charter principles:
General goals
• Integrity of place: Sustain and enhance geographical character

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

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Global warming

59. Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place
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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

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61. Geotourism Principles: Protect the product: The place
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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

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Billboards are bad enough; advertising an “ecotour” on one is inexcusable.

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65. Developing Geotourism Assets
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Developing Geotourism Assets
Build on character of place.

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CONSTRUCTIVE

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CONSTRUCTIVE

68. Geotourism Principles: Place and People
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Geotourism Principles: Place and People
• Community involvement: Base tourism on community assets
• Community benefit: Encourage small business strategies and upward employment mobility

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75. Identifying Geotourism Assets
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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.

76. Sustaining Geotourism Assets
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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.

77. Developing Geotourism Assets
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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.

78. Marketing Geotourism Assets
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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!

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

80. The Geotourism MapGuide
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The Geotourism MapGuide
A catalyst for constructive, sustainable tourism.

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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.

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84. The Sonoran Desert Geotourism MapGuide
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The Sonoran Desert Geotourism MapGuide

85. Geoturismo en el Desierto Sonorense
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Geoturismo en el Desierto Sonorense
Proyecto de Colaboración Internacional

86. Geotourism Stewardship Councils
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Geotourism Stewardship Councils
Arizona GSC- First meeting in Tucson, Arizona
Sonora GSC - First meeting in Ures, Sonora

87. Vermont NE Kingdom project
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Vermont NE Kingdom project

88. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada-USA:
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Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada-USA:
Transborder geotourism pilot project for World Heritage destinations and public-land areas

89. GPS-enabled geotourism handhelds
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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.

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The geotourism test: Are we sustaining or enhancing the character of our place?

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92. Geotourism Virtuous Circle
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Geotourism Virtuous Circle
Place-based tourism
Community benefit
Motive to protect and enhance

93. X X X The Circle Broken Place-based tourism Community benefit
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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

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95. Index of Destination Stewardship
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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

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97. 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

98. 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.

99. 74 Vermont Quebec City old town
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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.

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