Opening Keynote presentation to the Second International Workshop on the Business of Geotourism and Geoparks, 14th May, Perth, Western Australia

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Welcome to the
International Workshop
The Business of
Geotourism and Geoparks
Professor Ross Dowling OAM
Edith Cowan University
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions
Perth, Western Australia
Monday 14 May 2018 2
Geotourism and Geoparks
- powerful new drivers
of sustainable
regional development
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Economic Benefits
Ireland
Vietnam
China
UK
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Geotourism
Geotourism is an holistic form of
tourism which links geology &
climate with fauna & flora so as to
inform how people have lived in a
place in the past as well as today
Geotourism fosters sustainable,
regional, economic development
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Geotourism
is not
Ecotourism

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The Environment
‘ABC’ elements
Tourism
Type
Geotourism
Abiotic
Non living
Climate
Landforms
Geological
Weather
Outback
Astronomical
This is a more
holistic approach
to tourism and
comprises all
three ‘ABC’
elements of the
environment as
well as their
related tourism
types
Biotic
Living
Animals (Fauna)
Plants (Flora)
Nature Based
Ecotourism
Wildlife / flower
Cultural
Human
People:
Past & Present
Cultural
Indigenous
Heritage
The Environment and Tourism
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Biotic Cultural
Galapagos Abiotic
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Geotourism around the world
Grand Canyon
USA
Al Hoota Cave
Oman
Heimaey Island
Iceland
Jeju Island
South Korea
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A Geotrail - The Trail of Time
Grand Canyon, USA
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A Geo-Attraction – Al Hoota Cave
Sultanate of Oman
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A Geopark - Jeju Island
South Korea
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Silver Shadow
Jusangjeolli Cliffs – columnar basalt columns
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Excellent Interpretation

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The Triple Crown
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A GeoCentre – Eyjafjallajökull Eldgos
Iceland
Eyjafjallajökull - the volcano that stopped the world
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Eyjafjallajökull Erupts Visitor Centre
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Excellent Interpretation
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Interesting Exhibits 24
Guðný provides a strong ‘Connection’ with the
geological, natural and cultural environments

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Heimaey Island, Iceland
Using geotourism is a vehicle for
Sustainable Regional Development
Attraction
Visitor Centre
Amenities
Café
Tours
Geotour
Kristbjorg Helga + ArnórGuðný 26
New Geotourism Attractions
The Gap, Albany
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New Geotourism Attractions
Castle Rock Skywalk, Porongurup NP
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New Geotourism Attraction
The Skywalk, Kalbarri
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Key Message
• Geotourism is a business
• Its aim is to sustainably ‘add value’
to local or regional communities
• This value should be easily
measured through economic
indicators such as jobs and income
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Geoparks
Geoparks
are the vehicle
Geotourism
is the engine

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Geoparks
are not
National Parks
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Geoparks
A Geopark is an area with a
geological heritage of
significance, which has a strong
management structure and
where a sustainable economic
development strategy is in place
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Geoparks
Geoparks are vehicles for
fostering community-based,
sustainable, regional
economic development
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Levels of Geoparks
Level
Aspiring
National
Global
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Geopark Essentials
The five fundamental features of a
UNESCO Global Geopark are:
1. Geological heritage of international value
2. A clear boundary and good governance
3. Visibility - information and promotion
4. Networking – within the park and across
the global network
5. Geoparks are re-evaluated every 4 years
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Geoparks in Iceland

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Katla Geopark
Tjörnes Fossil
Trolls
Vestmannaeyjar
Volcano
Myvatn
Snæfellsnes
Snæfell
East
Iceland
Reykjanes
Europe’s
Westend
Torfajökull Caldera
Proposed Geoparks
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UNESCO Global Geoparks
www.unesco.org
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UNESCO Programs
Program Sites Countries
World Heritage 1073 167
Man and the
Biosphere
669 120
UNESCO Global
Geoparks
140 38
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Australia’s UNESCO Sites
Program Sites
World Heritage 22
Man and the Biosphere 14
UNESCO Global Geoparks 0
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UNESCO Global Geoparks
[140 in 38 countries]
Europe [69]
China [37]
Canada [3]
Brazil
Uruguay
Morocco
Japan [9]
MexicoIran
Indonesia [4]
Tanzania
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Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Iran

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European Geoparks
[71 geoparks in 23 countries]
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Asian Geoparks
Langkawi Global Geopark
Malaysia
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Access & Activity
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Activity and Attraction
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Accommodation
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Awareness

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The Geoparks Brand
• In the first ten years of geoparks in
China there were over 1.1 billion visitors
(over 100 million visitors per annum)
• Entry fees were RMB 7 Billion ($1.36B)
• The geoparks generated 75 000
permanent full time jobs and
470 000 part time jobs
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Aspiring Geoparks, USA
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Aspiring Geoparks, NZ
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1. Geoparks start with geological attractions and
build economic growth through geotourism
2. They have a well established global network
3. Chinese and European visitors know geoparks
4. Geoparks foster community-based, sustainable,
regional, economic development
5. Western Australia will benefit from geoparks
Key Points
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The Boom in Chinese Tourism
Uluru
Kakadu

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Australia’s Aspiring Geo Regions
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Geoparks in Western Australia
Geoparks are the vehicle for:
1. Economic growth
2. Job creation
3. Community well-being
4. Cultural revival
5. Conservation
6. Tourism development
7. Aboriginal enterprise
8. Educational links
9. Scientific research
10. A global network