Geotourism

Geotourism is a form of tourism that emphasizes the geographical character of a place, including its geology, landscape, ecologies, culture, and heritage, while seeking to benefit local communities and minimize environmental impact. It focuses on visiting areas where the geologic and geographic features are central to the visitor experience, and it seeks to interpret these features for residents and travelers alike.

Geotourism aims to preserve geodiversity and cultural heritage, promote sustainable development, and provide education through interpretation and responsible travel. Core components include the protection of geosites or geologic features, development of sustainable visitor infrastructure, community involvement, and the creation of interpretive programs that communicate how a place was formed and how it fits into broader environmental and cultural contexts.

The concept was popularized in the modern era by National Geographic and has been adopted in governance frameworks around UNESCO Global Geoparks and other regional geotourism networks. Geotourism is often discussed in relation to ecotourism and geoconservation, but it places particular emphasis on a place’s geographic character as a resource.

In practice, geotourism calls for sustainable management plans, limits on visitor numbers where appropriate, training for guides and staff, and the reinvestment of tourism revenue into conservation and community projects. While it offers opportunities for economic development and education, it also requires careful balancing of conservation, access, and local needs.