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New Challenges with Geotourism Proceedings of the VIII European Geoparks Conference Idanha-A-Nova, 4-6 September 2009 (Portugal)

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New Challenges with Geotourism Proceedings of the VIII European Geoparks Conference Idanha-A-Nova, 4-6 September 2009 (Portugal) NEW CHALLENGES WITH GEOTOURISM Proceedings of the VIII European Geoparks Conference Idanha-a-Nova, 4-6 september 2009 (Portugal) C. Neto de Carvalho & Joana Rodrigues (Eds.) 2 HONORARY COMMITTEE Margarete Patzak (Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences – UNESCO) Nickolas Zouros Patrick Mc Keever(EGN Coordinator/Petrified Forest of Lesvos Geopark/Aegean University) Fernando Andresen(EGN Guimarães vice-Coordinator/Geological (President of UNESCO Survey Portuguese of Northern Committee) Ireland) Pedro Machado (President of Centre of Portugal Tourism Region) António Galopim de Carvalho Joaquim Morão (National Museum of Natural History, Lisbon) (Mayor of Castelo Branco municipality and President of Association of Armindo Jacinto Municipalities Natureza e Tejo) (President of Geopark Naturtejo/Vice-Mayor of Idanha-a-Nova municipality/ Vice-PresidentÁlvaro Rocha Centre of Portugal Tourism Region) Gabriela Tsukamoto (Mayor of Idanha-a-Nova municipality) José Marques (Mayor of Nisa municipality) João Paulo Catarino(Mayor of Oleiros municipality) Maria do Carmo Sequeira(Mayor of Proença-a-Nova municipality) (Mayor of Vila Velha de Ródão municipality) 4 NIZING COMMITTEE ORGA Armindo Jacinto Carlos Neto de Carvalho Joana Rodrigues Rafael André Rui Tomás Marques Rita Mota Eliane Antunes Cristina Preguiça Manuela Catana Tiago Oliveira Alice Marcelo Fátima Rodrigues SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Carlos Neto de Carvalho Joana Rodrigues (Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal) Maria Catana (Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal) Rui Tomás Marques(Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal) Rafael André (Naturtejo Geopark /University of Lisbon/BlueEarth, Portugal) Tony Ramsay (Naturtejo Geopark /Abilis, Portugal) Joan Poch (Fforest Fawr Geopark, Wales) Mário Cachão(Sobrarbe Geopark, Aragon) José Brilha (University of Lisbon, Portugal) Vanda Santos(University of Minho, Portugal) Nuno Rodrigues(Natural History National Museum, Portugal) Elizabeth Silva (Natural History National Museum, Portugal) Andrea Baucon (National Commission for UNESCO, Portugal) Roigar López (University of Milan, Italy) Jesus Salazar (University Bolivariana of Venezuela/Fundación Geoparques de Venezuela, Venezuela) (University Bolivariana of Venezuela/Fundación Geoparques de Venezuela, Venezuela) 6 LISt of rEVIEwErS for thE SubmIttEd PaPErS Carlos Neto de Carvalho Joana Rodrigues (Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal) Ross Dowling (Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal) Maria Catana (Edith Cowan University, Australia) Tony Ramsay (Naturtejo Geopark Portugal) Joan Poch (Fforest Fawr Geopark, Wales) Mário Cachão(Sobrarbe Geopark, Aragon) José Brilha (University of Lisbon, Portugal) Andrea Baucon(University of Minho, Portugal) Pablo Rivas (University of Milan, Italy) Roigar López(Cabo de Gata-Níjar Geopark, Andaluzia) (University Bolivariana of Venezuela/Fundación Geoparques de Venezuela) FOREWORD Geotourism is a segment of tourism that has been developed worldwide in recent years. In fact, since long time ago people come to visit “geological wonders”, like mountains, caves, volcanoes, fossil remains and canyons. However, only in recent times there was a real challenge for this sector and a market with very specific and novel characteristics, based on research’s interpretation, protection of the geological heritage and edutainment, is being developed. Excellence in Nature Tourism is supported by the sustainable use of natural heritage, raising Nature awareness through news ways of interpretation. This niche of tourism has been growing worldwide in the last years and nature tourists look for certified, high- quality destinations, as are the ones being developed by the Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO. Geotourism is an emerging segment of Nature Tourism in which the main object is Geodiversity. A new niche was created for business with new specificities and new contingencies that accompanies not only the general trends of tourism but it is also imposing own trends. Geoparks are pioneers in Geotourism and an example of sustainable local development. Geotourism needs awareness for Geological Heritage. Geological processes with high scientific and educational interest can be associated to aesthetics/monumentality and become geosites with tourist potential. With Geotourism is intended to stimulate the knowledge of Geodiversity, Geoconservation and use them for sustainable development. It is crucial that Geotourism has other values than Geodiversity to diversify and enrich the offer: one site with rich geological heritage should have also cultural, historical and natural (bio and geo) points of interest and approaches. But it is also important to have good interpretation and supportive structures (lodging, restaurants, activities/events) to receive the high-demanding geotourists. sensu lato The aim of the 8th European Geoparks Conference was to discuss new methodologies for developing Nature tourism and Geotourism, to explore the establishment of Geoparks as high quality destinations for alternative sustainable tourism, to promote recent •developments in protection and promotion of natural heritage in combination with local •development as well as in management and operation of Geoparks. It was also intended to: • unify Geoparks for a stronger European Geoparks Network, • promote EGN towards local, national and international authorities, • project UNESCO Geopark brand as a reference in national and international tourism, develop geoconservation measures for sustainable use of geosites, raise awareness of EGN as example for the development of other continental networks. For the success of this Conference on “New Challenges with Geotourism” was highly important the key-note talks made by the distinguished coordinators of the European Geoparks Network (Prof. Nickolas Zouros and Dr. Patrick Mc Keever) and the Global Geoparks Network of UNESCO (Dr. Margarete Patzak), the world-known expert on Geotourism, Prof. Ross Dowling, and one of the most eminent researchers on Geonconservation, Prof. José Brilha. But more than 90 communications from researchers and territories from all over Europe and abroad, with a special note for the Brazilian experiences, made the Naturtejo’s European Geoparks Conference one of the most participated and lively discussed events from the European Geoparks Network. The subjects in discussion were: 1. Geoparks and tourism Geology and Tourism is a new combination that Geoparks are promoting. The territories need not only beautiful landscapes but also tourist strategies that promote regions in a responsible2. Geotourism way. Geotourists and local ask development for new challenges; Geotourism was born from a happy association of Geology with Tourism. It is a new kind of Nature Tourism that aspires being the solution for local development of rural areas and that involves3. Geoparks several agents and Science such as geoscientists, politicians and local managers; Geopark’s definition stands at the geodiversity concept. It is necessary to support the geotourist practices with scientific research to produce stronger knowledge about Geology. We can’t forget that Geology is a Science and we can’t promote Tourism if we don’t know deeply4. Geoconservation our territories; best practices and wrong ways Geoconservation is one of the main aims of a Geopark. Each EGN member has to find the best5. waymarketing to protect strategies their geological for aheritage; strong EGN brand Marketing strategies must be a pillar in each Geopark for tourism development based on high-quality standards. It is necessary to create strategies to promote Geodiversity and land products6. man that and link Nature: the Geopark’s cultural territories landscapes for a stronger EGN brand; Local culture is important for sustainable development and geotourism. Traditions usually combine man and nature in a symbiotic approach. Man has been using nature by constantly interact7. New with Geoparks the environment and their for tutorsthousands of years; It is not easy to develop new European and Global Geoparks. It is necessary to prepare a territory and to promote new strategies towards sustainable development using Geodiversity. EGN aks for a strongers and bigger network with new projects supported by experienced Geoparks in long-term projects. Established in 2000, the European Geoparks Network (EGN) aims to protect geodiversity, to promote geological heritage to the general public, as well as to support sustainable economic development of geopark territories, primarily through the development of geological tourism. The network has drawn together territories from across Europe that share these aims and now work together in an active and dynamic way in order to achieve them. Originally consisting of four territories, the network has been expanded to include, from April 2009, 34 territories across 13 European countries. Special thanks must be given to all the abstract reviewers) for their kind cooperation and patience even when work throughout the weekend was needed. The IOP Publishing editors were as friendly as effective working against the (un predictable delays to finish the book in time for the Conference. A special word of affection for all the anonymous collaborators and friends that supported with their unstoppable enthusiasm the success of this Conference.The Editors In fact, Geotourism, as life, is made of experiences and emotions to be shared. from thE GEotourISt’S PoINt of VIEw […]When we arrived to Penha Garcia we soon got started to take photos to the amazing landscape and then we went to the bathroom (…); the bathroom were clean, an impressive
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