The scope and nature of geotourism

Newsome, D. and Dowling, R.K. (2006) The scope and nature of geotourism. In: Dowling, R.K. and Newsome, D., (eds.) Geotourism. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford , pp. 3-25.

Abstract

Geotourism sits within a spectrum of definitions (Figure 1.1). For example, Stueve et al. (2002) provide a very broad definition of geotourism – one that encompasses wider geographical, socio-economic and cultural contexts which sit under the umbrella of geographic tourism. Such reasoning probably relates to geology being the basis for the physical environment and therefore ecological systems, with extension into the cultural, spiritual and economic interface. Frey et al. (see Chapter 6) embrace geotourism at the level of social and community development according to the concept of the geopark. However, in our definition of geotourism the ‘geo’ part pertains to geology and geomorphology and the natural resources of landscape, landforms, fossil beds, rocks and minerals, with an emphasis on appreciating the processes that are creating and created such features.