Geotourism

The term Geotourism is essentially taken to mean 'geological tourism'. It encompasses tourists looking at natural landscapes including the landforms, rocks and processes that shaped them over time.

11 June 2008 -  Geotourism Forum - Murdoch University

In the lead up to the Inaugural Global Geotourism Conference, FACET will run a Geotourism Forum with guest speakers Dr David Newsome and Patrick Maher. Download the flyer for more information.

17-20 August 2008 - Inaugural Global Geotourism Conference - Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle

The inaugural Global Geotourism Conference will be a hallmark event that promises to set a benchmark for the tourism industry in relation to the development, management and marketing of landscapes. Geotourism describes the resources, activities and management of visitor activity centered on rock exposures, landforms and fossils in a wide variety of natural landscapes.

In discussing and engaging all aspects of geotourism this conference will highlight its status as a conservation tool, educational process and nature-based tourism activity. Moreover, an understanding of the ?form?process? link that is important in geology can be delivered via geotourism and the consequences of geological landforms and activities on our lives can thus be better understood.

This unique conference will include case studies which showcase the issues involved in the management and care of such attractions, and cover topics such as sustainability, impacts and environmental issues.

Download the registration brochure.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: Friday 14 March 2008

Proposed subjects:

Linking geotourism with other aspects of tourism

• Geoparks

Visitor management at geosites

• Understanding impact
• Sensitive sites (caves, waterfalls, friable sites)
• Fossil/specimen collection
• Health and safety aspects

Education and interpretation

• Role of museums, visitor centres and guided tours
• Schools curricula

Role of the mining sector in geotourism

• Use of quarries and previously mined areas

Role of geotourism in geoconservation and sustainability

Marketing and expanding the scope of geotourism

• New sites and attractions

Visit the Inaugural Global Geotourism Conference website for more information.