GEOTOURISM - MORE THAN JUST A LABEL!

Just published in the CSIRO COSMOS magazine is a comprehensive overview of substantial geotrail development work in Australia’s Red Centre https://bit.ly/3BYnAZO.

Citing the outstanding product development efforts of contributing geologist Dr Anett Weisheit to both the Larapinta Trail and the Angkerle Arwatye Standley Chasm, Anett explained that ‘tourism is more than geology. It is ABC: A for abiotic, the geology: B is the biology; and C the culture.”

The article also cited the views of a Parks Australia representative who stated, ‘from a marketing point of view, landscape is integral to most of what we do and what Central Australia Tourism, NT Tourism and Tourism Australia do.” Yep, geotourism by another name! However, another cited tourism industry commentator thought that the terminology of a geotrail that doesn’t resonate here, “adding we call just think of it as tourism generally”.

Over 40 years ago, in Australia, ‘travel and hospitality’ was the name of the industry, until the then newly appointed Minister for Sports, Recreation and Tourism, the Hon John Brown AO emerged and created the inaugural Tourism Task Force from which much of the future national tourism marketing initiatives evolved.In the early 1990s, ecotourism, championed by Ecotourism Australia, appeared recognising that ecotourism was considered as responsible travel to natural (i.e. protected) areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people’, defined by a set of principles that involves travel to natural destinations through,

* minimising impact,

* building environmental awareness,

* providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people,

* respecting local culture,* supporting human rights and democratic movements, and

* providing direct financial benefits for conservation.

At about the same time, geotourism emerged in the UK and the USA, defined by the National Geographic Society (and later updated) as ‘tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a PLACE—its geology, environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.’

Through the work of Geotourism Australia, the holistic characteristics and practices of geotourism of any place (regardless of its condition) is celebrated. The inter-relationship between natural and cultural heritage elements, particularly through the lens of what First Nations people understand as being their Country, is faithfully interpreted for visitor engagement, learning, and enjoyment.

Geotourism Australia understands that both domestic and international tourists are now expecting superior ‘signature experiences’. Geotourism is a key driver for regional development where these experiences can be realised.