GEOPARKS AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN SPAIN
Angel García Cortés Secretary of the Spanish National Geopark Committee
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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1st SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION OF GEOTOURISM (Hose, 1995) Geotourism is a modality of tourism in nature which uses the geological heritage as a goal. Biological tourism Biotourism
In situ
Ex situ Tourism in nature (environmental, ecological, landscape)
Ornithological Floristic and mycological Photo safaris Zoos Botanical gardens Museums
In situ
Rural Urban
Ex situ
Museums and collections Rock gardens
Geological tourism Geotourism
Atmospheric and meteorological tourism: sunrises, sunsets, extreme phenomena ... Astronomical tourism: observatories, star parties‌. I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
1. Consists of physical elements located on the surface of the Earth.
• You can touch and feel them. • They are accessible.
VS
Ornithological tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
2. Consists of geological elements (rocks, structures, forms) of abiotic nature, generally static at the timescale of tourist activities.
• They are always in the same place. • The elements are easy to geolocate. • There is no disappointment or frustration from not finding the elements during the visit
VS
Wildlife tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
3. Its properties do not change significantly depending on the seasons.
• They can be visited at any time of the year. • They always look similar.
VS
Botanical tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
4. The elements or sites are unique and irreplaceable.
• There are no two identical geosites.
VS
Safari tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
5. The elements are usually found in open spaces.
• There are no opening/closing hours. • They are visible all day (and even at night). VS
Historical and artistic tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
6. They are frequently very old and related to the history of life on Earth.
• Their age causes interest and surprise. • Extinct animals and plants call interest.
VS
Amusement park tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
7. They are abiotic elements.
• They are “dead”. • They are static at a human scale.
VS
Wildlife tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
8. Sometimes the elements are complex and diverse.
• Three-dimensional vision is needed. • An ability for abstraction is needed • Prior knowledge is sometimes essential.
VS
Amusement park tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
9. We use the concept of geological time.
• Hard to assimilate on a human scale. • Lack of accuracy (even in millions of years).
VS
Sports tourism
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
10. It is sometimes associated with previous negative experiences at school.
• Rejection towards geology. • Lack of interest for these elements.
VS
Amusement park tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 20
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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AS A TOURIST RESOURCE
Negative -
Positive + -
Tangible Accessible Locatable Not seasonal Varied No schedules Reminiscent
-
Abiotic elements ("dead“) Difficult interpretation without imagination Prior knowledge is sometimes essential Abstraction and 3D capability are needed Geological time scheme Previous negative experiences (school)
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 20
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SUSTAINABILITY Characteristic or state according to which the needs of the current and local population can be satisfied without compromising the capacity of future generations or populations of other regions. Economic
Social
Environmental
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Is geotourism in geoparks socially sustainable? • • • •
Indicator of communication with local population Employment indicator Education/scientific outreach indicator Social accessibility indicator
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Is geotourism in geoparks socially sustainable? Indicator of communication with the local population •
UNESCO Global Geoparks are established through a bottom-up process involving the local population and all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area. Social response index Number of geotourism activities that promote the involvement of the community
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks socially sustainable? Employment indicator •
The Act 45/2007 on sustainable rural development, in order to promote the creation and maintenance of employment in rural areas, stablishes that the Sustainable Rural Development Program may propose initiatives that facilitate the use of geological, mining and other cultural resources by the local population.
•
One of the main objectives of geoparks is sustainable development through geotourism: Total direct employment Total indirect employment Employment stability index Local labor
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks socially sustainable? Education/Scientific outreach indicator •
It is a pre-requisite that all UNESCO Global Geoparks develop and operate educational activities for all ages to spread awareness of geological heritage and its links to other aspects of natural and cultural heritage. Number of participants in scientific outreach activities Investment in scientific outreach activities
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks socially sustainable? Social accessibility indicator The visit is usually free, not elitist nor socially selective.
ďƒź Number of geosites with free visit. ďƒź Number of accessible geosites for disabled people. I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks economically sustainable? Economic management indicator • Most geosites do not need specific conservation • Minimal maintenance costs vs cultural tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks economically sustainable? • Most geosites do not require permanent security. vs
Historical and artistic tourism
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks economically sustainable? Economic management indicator • Nevertheless, other geosites need important investments and maintenance
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks economically sustainable? Doctoral thesis: INFLUENCE OF GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS ON THE ECONOMIC AND TOURIST DEVELOPMENT OF SPANISH GEOPARKS MAIN GOAL: Analyze the geological, economic and tourist variables of each selected geopark in order to associate the influence of the visits on the socio-economic activity of the geopark and its areas of influence. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: • Is geodiversity what leads to more visits? • Define the optimal management model. • Determine if geoparks are representative of the geodiversity and the geoheritage of Spain. I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks environmentally sustainable?
• •
Its destruction is irreversible Some need specific protection State of conservation indicator
I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Is geotourism in geoparks environmentally sustainable? There is a need to perform detailed inventories of geological heritage: • • • • •
Value of the geosites (scientific, educational, touristic) Fragility Vulnerability Susceptibility of degradation Degradation risk
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Scientific
Educational
Touristic
Coefficient
Coefficient
Coefficient
Representativeness
30
5
0
Type locality status
10
5
0
Degree of scientific knowledge
15
0
0
State of conservation
10
5
0
Observation conditions
5
5
5
Rareness / singularity
15
5
0
Geological diversity
10
10
0
Didactic / educational potential
0
20
0
Logistic infrastructure
0
15
5
Population density
0
5
5
Accessibility
0
10
10
Size (fragility)
0
5
15
Association with other environmental or cultural elements
0
5
5
Scenic value or beauty
0
5
20
Potential for vulgarization
0
0
15
Potential for the organization of activities
0
0
5
Proximity to recreational areas
0
0
5
Socio-economic context
0
0
10
100
100
100
Type of value Parameter
Total
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Estimation of the value of geotopes Tourism value Coefficient Observation conditions 5 Logistic infrastructures 5 Population density 5 Accessibility 10 Size (fragility) 15 Association with other environmental 5 or cultural elements Scenic value or beauty 20 Potentiality for vulgarization 15 Potentiality to organize activities 5 Proximity to recreational areas 5 Socio-economic context 10
Score 0, 1, 2 or 0, 1, 2 or 0, 1, 2 or 0, 1, 2 or 0, 1, 2 or 0, 1, 2 or
4 4 4 4 4 4
0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
4 4 4 4 4
1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
2 2 2 2 2
or or or or or
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Example: criterion to score the scenic value or beauty Scenic value or beauty (coefficient 20) Score The site does not meet, by default, any of the following criteria: 0 1) Large-amplitude relief or 2) large courses or bodies of water -or ice-, or 3) 1 remarkable chromatic variety. Also includes fossils and attractive minerals Coincidence of two of the three preceding characteristics. Also includes 2 spectacular fossils or minerals Coincidence of the three preceding characteristics 4
Geosite with high touristic value: Geosite with medium touristic value: Geosite with low touristic value:
V > 6,6 3,3 ≤ V ≤ 6,6 0 ≤ V < 3,3
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Fragility (F) The fragility (F) of a geosite is a quality that makes it degradable due to its intrinsic features, such as: ď&#x192;&#x2DC; lithology, ď&#x192;&#x2DC; degree of fracturing, ď&#x192;&#x2DC; degree of weathering Fragility (F) Very resistant lithology (quartzites or similar), with little fracturing and without weathering Resistant or very resistant lithology, but with high fracturing and / or weathering Consolidated soft lithology, with little fracturing and / or weathering Lithology not consolidated, or consolidated but soft and very fractured and / or weathered
Score 0
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1 2 3
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Vulnerability by anthropogenic threats (VuA) A factor that assesses the possibility of degrading of the geosite due to current or potential actions (threats) resulting from human activities. It will depend on the susceptibility of the site to plundering or vandalism, and on the pressure of human activities (mining, water pumping, urban expansion, construction of infrastructures, etc.).
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Vulnerability by anthropogenic threats (VuA) PARAMETER Interest for mining or water exploitation Vulnerability to plundering Proximity to buildings or infrastructures Accessibility Protection regime Physical or indirect protection Ownership of land and access regime Population density Proximity to recreational areas
COEFFICIENT 25 25 15 10 5 5 5 5 5 100
Example: criterion to score the vulnerability to plundering: Score Vulnerability to plundering There is no paleontological / mineralogical site or they are difficult to plunder 0 Paleontological / mineralogical site with low value and easy looting 1 Paleontological / mineralogical site with great value, numerous specimens and easy 2 looting Paleontological / mineralogical site with great value, few specimens and easy looting 4 I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Susceptibility of degradation (SD) We can define it as the ease with which a geosite can degrade, depending on its size and vulnerability. Indeed, in a first approximation, we can affirm that the susceptibility to degradation (SD) of a geosite will be smaller if its size is larger, because the potential damage is limited to part of its surface. Therefore: SD = VuA x FS Where VuA is the vulnerability and FS a factor inversely proportional to the size of the geosite. I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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Degradation Risk (RD) Estimated factor that combines the susceptibility of geosite degradation with its value. It reflects potential losses or damages to the geological heritage, depending on the magnitude of the consequences of geosite degradation. If the susceptibility of degradation is constant, the risk of degradation will be greater if the value of the geosite is greater.
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Degradation Risk (RD) RD = V x SD Where V is the (touristic) value of the geosite and SD its susceptibility to degradation. The risk of degradation is indicative of the need for protection of the geosite. RD is a good indicator for prioritizing conservation actions: Geosite Geosite Geosite Geosite
with with with with
very high degradation risk: high degradation risk: medium degradation risk: low degradation risk:
RD > 2,5 1 < RD ≤ 2,5 0,5 ≤ RD ≤ 1 RD < 0,5
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For an environmentally sustainable management of geotourism, we must focus on the geosites of higher touristic value and lower susceptibility to degradation. And keep track of their conservation status: Favorable: the geosite is well preserved, practically intact. Favorable with alterations: some deteriorations that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect in a decisive way the value of the geosite. Altered: with deteriorations that prevent to appreciate some characteristics of interest. Degraded: the geosite presents important deteriorations. Strongly degraded: the geosite is practically destroyed I Seminario Internacional de Turismo Sostenible y Geoparques. Sevilla 24-26 de noviembre 2017
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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