The Geotourism Approach

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National Geographic Society Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourism Approach
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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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DESTINATION STYLE DRIFT . . . if development
unchecked, unguided
Touring
R R
Entertain-ment
Unspoiled destination
SPOILED ?
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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.

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FLORA AND FAUNA
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HISTORIC AREAS
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SCENIC PLACES
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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
Many small/medium businesses
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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.

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CONSTRUCTIVE
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RESTORATIVE
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Geotourism segments
Economically significant segments
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MEAN
TRADI- TIONALISTS
GEO-SAVVYS
URBAN SOPHIS-TICATES
SELF-INDUL-GENTS
GOOD CITIZENS
OUTDOOR SPORTS-MEN
APA-THETICS
WISHFUL THINKERS
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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

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Hondurasfirst 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
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Geotourism Principles signed 22 Oct 2004
General goals
Integrity of place Sustain and enhance
geographical character
International codes Adhere to WTO code, ICOMOS
charter
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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.
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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

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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


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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

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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
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