Geotourism: What is, activities and examples

Geotourism differs from other forms of tourism in its Focus on sustainability and education. Visitors who participate in Geotourism experiences Not only do they enjoy the beauty of landscapes and geological diversity, but they also learn about the geological history, ecology and culture of the region they are visiting.

This approach drives local communities to assume an active role in promoting geotourism, since they are expected to work in the conservation of their natural and cultural resources to guarantee continuity of this form of tourism. In doing so, it seeks to avoid the exhaustion of resources and ensure that future generations can enjoy these unique environments.

In geotourism, a wide variety of activities designed to allow visitors to explore and learn about the geological and natural aspects of the place they are visiting are carried out. These activities usually include:

• Geological excursions: Guided by experts in geology or nature, visitors travel geologically interesting areas, where they can observe unique rock formations, minerals, fossils and other outstanding geological features.
• Hiking and interpretive walks: Hiking routes are offered that allow visitors to explore the natural environment, often with informative panels and signaling that provide explanations about geological processes, flora and fauna of the area.
• Geocaching: Geocaching is an activity that combines orientation and search for treasures. Participants use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers that contain information about the geology and history of the place.
• Visits to museums and interpretation centers: Here visitors are provided with a deeper vision of local geology through interactive, fossils and mineral samples, and audiovisual presentations.
• Interaction with local communities: Geotourism encourages interaction with local communities, which allows visitors to know the culture and history of the region.
• Adventure activities: Some geotourism destinations offer adventure activities such as rock climbing, cafting, rafting and more.

• Place integrity: Improve geographical identity developing and improving it in a way that is unique for the place, reflecting its natural and cultural heritage, to promote market differentiation and cultural pride.
• International Code: Adhering to the principles embodied in the World Code of Ethics for Tourism of the World Tourism Organization and the principles of the Charter for Culture and Tourism developed by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
• Market Selectivity: Promote the growth of tourist segments more likely to appreciate, respect and disseminate information about the unique local assets.
• Market diversification: Promote the provision of a complete range of adequate accommodation and food facilities to attract the entire population of the geotourism market, thus maximizing the short and long term economic resilience.
• Visitor satisfaction: This type of tourism ensures that satisfied and excited geotourists take new holiday stories and encourage their friends to experience them.
• Community Commitment: Base tourism on community resources whenever possible, encouraging small local businesses and civic groups to form associations to promote and offer unique and honest experiences to visitors, and market their places effectively.
• BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY: Promote small and medium enterprises and tourist business strategies that emphasize economic and social benefits for relevant communities.
• Protect and improve the attractiveness of fate: Companies are encouraged to maintain natural habitats, heritage sites, aesthetic attraction and local culture. You also try to maintain the number of visitors at the maximum acceptable level and avoid degradation.
• Earth use: anticipate development pressures and apply techniques to avoid unnecessary overdeveloping and degradation. It includes the expansion of tourist centers and holiday housing, especially on the coast and the islands, to protect the diversity of the natural and landscape environment and guarantee permanent access to the sea to residents.
• Resource conservation: Companies are encouraged to minimize water pollution, solid waste, energy consumption, water use, horticultural chemicals and excessively bright night lighting.
• Planning: Recognize and respect the immediate economic needs without sacrificing the long -term character and the geotourism potential of the destination.
• Interactive narration: It involves visitors and hosts in learning over the place. Residents are encouraged to promote the natural and cultural heritage of their community so that visitors have a richer experience and residents are proud of their place.
• Assessment: An evaluation process is established that is carried out periodically by an independent group that represents the interests of all interested parties and publish the results.

These are some of the best -known geotourism examples:

• Riotinto mines: Located north of the province of Huelva, you can travel on the railroad the 12 kilometers of old roads that connect the mines with the port of Huelva and enjoy the wonderful views of the mineral basin. You can also visit authentic Victorian houses and know the history of a geographical area that was completely transformed by mining activity. In the image below you can see this place.
• Teacher: This natural space is located in the province of Castellón, where you can contemplate unique geological formations and structures in the world. If you want to contemplate the last 200 million years in the history of the earth, you cannot miss this incredible place.
• Geoparque de las Loras: This place is located north of the provinces of Burgos and Palencia and is characterized by the presence of impressive river cannons and extensive limestone moors. We can find the jumps of Toba de Covaragua, a forest of oaks and beech that stand out for their unique beauty, as well as the French cave and the viewpoints of Valcabado.
• Geoparque Cabo de Gata-Níjar: It is located on the southern coast of the province of Almería and is one of the most peculiar coastal stripes of the Spanish coast, being the driest natural space in all of Europe. Among them we can find the Volcanic Caboor of the Cape and the coastal plain of the Gulf of Almería.
• Las Médulas: It is located in the province of León and is considered a World Heritage Site, so it is an ideal ecotourism destination. The charm of this place lies in the red hills covered with green vegetation, giving it a unique beauty. It was formed by land detachments made by the Romans to extract the gold found in the area.

If you liked to discover geotourism or geological tourism, we encourage you to practice it and we also recommend you to read about geodiversity: what is, examples and importance and the 10 most beautiful landscapes in Spain.

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