This study examines the willingness to pay (WTP) of 488 Quanzhou residents for the conser-vation of World Heritage Sites (WHS) using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and a mixed logit (MXL) model. The results indicate that residents are willing to pay CNY 19.35 per month for high-level community well-being improvements, CNY 25.83 for high cultural en-gagement, and CNY 20.60 for job creation related to tourism. In contrast, the WTP for direct heritage preservation is lower, with CNY 8.17 for high-level preservation. These ϕιndings high-light a preference for enhancing community infrastructure and cultural activities over direct conservation efforts. The research not only provides valuable insights for enhancing local par-ticipation in Quanzhou but also serves as a reference for government. By analyzing the WTP, governments and cultural organizations can develop targeted initiatives that foster civic en-gagement and public support for decision-making, thereby advancing democratic governance. This study deepens the understanding of the relationship between community involvement and heritage conservation and informs more effective policies that align local interests with sustainable cultural preservation.
This study focuses on designing and implementing geoeducation programs at Instituto Valle del Río de Oro in Piedecuesta, Colombia. These programs aim to enhance academic understanding of local geology while integrating heritage values to maximize educational and social impact. Pedagogical strategies were customized for different age groups and educational levels. The ap-proach included using a structured educational booklet and practical activities such as volcanic eruption simulations and fossil replicas to promote hands-on learning. The results demonstrated signiϕιcant improvements in students' academic performance and geological understanding. Statistical analyses revealed increased average scores and reduced knowledge variability after par-ticipating in the programs. Surveys also indicated a positive shift in students' perception toward the geological and cultural heritage of the Chicamocha Canyon, reϕλecting heightened appreciation and commitment to its conservation. This study highlights the effectiveness of geoeducation strat-egies not only in enhancing geology education but also in strengthening students' cultural and environmental identities. Integrating heritage values into geoeducation emerges as a crucial ap-proach for fostering critical awareness and responsible stewardship of local natural and cultural resources. By presenting successful educational strategies, this research contributes valuable insights into how geoeducation can enhance academic outcomes and promote deeper connections with geological and cultural heritage. It underscores the broader societal beneϕιts of integrating heritage values into educational frameworks, applicable to similar contexts globally.
Dien Bien and Cao Bang are two mountainous provinces in the north of Vietnam that have diverse ethnic proϕιles and great potential for community-based tourism (CBT), which is inherent with been numerous challenges in the association between ethnic mi-norities and economic development. Thus, this study was to identify key factors affecting the success of CBT and provide recommendations for enhancing sustainability in these regions. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through other literature from both studies and ofϕιcial documents and ϕιeld surveys conducted among local residents, tourists, and key stakeholders. The data were then analyzed using regression and the-matic analysis to determine the most inϕλuential factors. Results indicated that economic factors including income stability and equitable income distribution were the most signiϕιcant determinants of CBT success. Cultural preservation and quality of life improve-ments were also as critical as environmental sustainability supported by effective waste management and government policies. Finally, community engagement and development policies were least inϕλuential. It was deduced that for the development of CBT in Dien Bien and Cao Bang. Stakeholders should focus on stabilizing income, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing environmental sustainability through targeted policies and community engagement.
Geoparks represent a dynamic nexus between geological heritage, ecological preservation, and sustainable development. Within this framework, the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp) in Malaysia was officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark on 26th May 2023. It stands as a paragon of geotourism, uniting local communities, cultural legacy, and nat-ural wonders under the broader agenda of sustainable tourism. However, the extent to which these benefits are recognized by local communities, particularly in Kota Belud, remains inade-quately explored. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for aligning geotourism initiatives with community aspirations and fostering sustainable development. This study investigates the perceived benefits of geoparks among the Kota Belud community using a mixed-methods ap-proach. A total of 225 respondents from the community of Kota Belud participated in this study. The quantitative data were triangulated with the data from in-depth interviews with eight community representatives. Using a five-point Likert scale, the survey consists of 31 items constructed based on the UNWTO conceptual framework of the three pillars of tourism sustainable development: economy, social, and environment. Complementary in-depth inter-views with eight representatives provided qualitative insights, enhancing the robustness of findings. Survey results indicate strong agreement on the benefits of geoparks in enhancing local economies (mean = 4.36), fostering social cohesion (mean = 4.28), and promoting envi-ronmental conservation (mean = 4.24). Thematic analysis further highlights the dimensions such as income generation, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. This study underscores the transformative potential of geoparks and offers practical insights for policy-makers and stakeholders to enhance geotourism strategies aligned with sustainable develop-ment goals.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are unique platforms for communicating science and geoscience, es-pecially in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. These territories are out-standing models for promoting environmental stewardship and fostering community engagement. To address a research gap in understanding science communication within geo-parks, this study explored the theoretical framework behind science communication, discussing key principles and strategies. The results revealed a diverse landscape with a wide spectrum of approaches, showing progress and opportunities, yet challenges persisted, including inconsis-tent frameworks and the prevalence of deϕιcit-model thinking. Trends indicated increasing adoption of participatory and community-focused initiatives, although these were unevenly implemented. The study concluded that while geoparks had made signiϕιcant contributions to science communication and sustainability, their impact could be enhanced through more con-sistent and participatory strategies that actively involved communities, strengthening their role as global models for environmental stewardship and public engagement.
This study evaluated the ecotourism potential of Jhargram District, West Bengal, India, using an integrated approach that combines geographic information systems (GIS) with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) from multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools. Ten key criteria, including distance from geosites, elevation, slope, proximity to forests, distance from rivers, dis-tance from cultural sites, distance from hotels and homestays, land use and land cover (LULC), distance from roads, and distance from tribal villages, were selected based on ϕιeld surveys and expert opinions. The AHP method determined the relative importance of these criteria, and a weighted overlay analysis was conducted in ArcGIS 10.8. The analysis revealed that the district's 14.28% (432.50 km2) was highly suitable for ecotourism, with 0.16% (5 km2) classiϕιed as most suitable. Moderately suitable areas accounted for 73.21% (2217.38 km2), while 11.97% (362.55 km2) were less suitable, and only 0.38% (11.4 km2) were not suitable. The Binpur-II block emerged as the most favorable zone, hosting 35 villages within the most suitable cate-gory. The study's novelty lied in the integration of Kernel density estimation (KDE) and com-bined density analysis for validation, ensuring a more robust site selection process. These ϕιndings provide valuable insights for policymakers to promote ecotourism while conserving natural ecosystems and generating employment opportunities.
In the framework of a collaborative programme on dynamic landscapes involving the Land-scape Dynamics, Risks and Heritage laboratory (Morocco) and Environment, Dynamic, Territory and Montagne laboratory (France), this paper investigates the management plans, actions, and activities adopted by two UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp): (a) the Massif des Bauges UNESCO Global Geopark in France, recognised as a European Geopark in 2011, located in a developed country with a long experience in heritage enhancement, and (b) the M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark in Morocco, recognised in 2014 as the first African geopark, a pioneer in the develop-ment of geoheritage on this continent. The results show that there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to UNESCO Global Geoparks management. An effective strategy requires permanent financing, as well as a dynamic and participatory management structure that engages a broad network of local actors and stakeholders. This structure should operate, according to a clearly defined plan, with consensus reached between decision-makers and the local commu-nity, underpinned by transparency and authenticity. The management plan should prioritise the development of integrated strategies across four key pillars. It should: i) focus on effective geoconservation of heritage in alignment with national regulations; ii) incorporate awareness-raising and educational initiatives, setting clear objectives for geoeducation programmes to complement; (iii) initiate and encourage geotourism activities; and iv) emphasise the appreci-ation and promotion of local geoproducts, reflecting the community’s cultural identity and landscape perception.
The significance of ecotourism has gained increasing recognition due to its contributions to en-vironmental conservation and sustainable development. This study aims to identify potential sites for ecotourism development in the Aroresa and Chire districts, Sidama Region. A combina-tion of field observations, key informant interviews, and spatial data analysis was used to iden-tify the main ecotourism resources and assess the suitability of potential sites. River, land use land cover, natural attraction, elevation, road, slope, rainfall, temperature, and cultural attrac-tion were used to prepare the criteria maps. Geographic information and remote sensing soft-ware were used to evaluate the site for ecotourism. The analytical hierarchy process was also applied to derive the relative weights of criteria maps, followed by a weighted overlay analysis to generate the final suitability map. The findings indicate that the districts are endowed with a wealth of natural, cultural, and historical attractions, including diverse flora and fauna, scenic landscapes, waterfalls, wetlands, and cultural heritage sites. The suitability analysis showed that a considerable portion of the districts (65.5% in Aroresa and 82.8% in Chire) are moder-ately suitable for ecotourism, with smaller areas being highly suitable (9.1% in Aroresa and 6.1% in Chire) or marginally suitable. The researchers recommend that decision-makers prior-itize the promotion and development of these identified ecotourism potentials and suitable sites to foster the growth of ecotourism destinations, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the region.
This research investigates the geodiversity of the AL-Zubaidat region in Southeastern Iraq, with a focus on its geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. This information helps re-searchers identify suitable locations for natural reserves, thereby enhancing the protection of Iraqi biodiversity. The region attracts eco-tourism visitors, beneϕιting the economy and provid-ing various scientiϕιc, cultural, educational, and aesthetic beneϕιts. This research employed the geoinformatics methodology for geospatial analysis, constructing a comprehensive geodatabase, categorizing spatial features through topographic, geological, and hydrological maps, and correlating data with satellite imagery and elevation models. Geodiversity was clas-siϕιed according to physical parameters and international criteria, with the ϕιnal classiϕιcation attributes formulated utilizing maps, ϕιeld photographs, and geodatabases. The research em-ployed speciϕιc parameters to analyze the geomorphometric and slope diversity of the Al-Zubaidat area watersheds. The study area in Al-Zubaidat comprises dome-shaped hills, ter-tiary geological formations, valleys, and badlands. The area encompasses 782.308 km2 and shall consist of three principal watersheds (Al-Sharhani, Abu-Ghraibat, and Al-Shakak), as well as 12 sub-watersheds. The watershed perimeter is correlated with the circulating ratio, form factor, and elongation ratio, with larger perimeters generally indicating larger basin areas. The region encompasses low-slope terrain, with elevated slope values in the northern sections, especially in the headwaters. Geoheritage, geodiversity, geoconservation, and geoparks can facilitate sus-tainable development, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster cultural diversity. These initiatives are crucial for policymakers and regional stakeholders in semi-arid and developing regions, particularly in Southeast Asia, to enhance income and protect vulnerable natural resources.
This study assesses the geological heritage of Northern Tunisia to propose conservation mea-sures and promote geotourism. Using the Spanish Inventory of Sites of Geological Interest eval-uation method, four volcanic geosites have been analyzed: La Galite Island, Ras Rajel, Oued Bellif, and Guelb Saad Moun. La Galite Island stands out for its unique volcanic formations and significant scientific interest, while Ras Rajel provides valuable insights into mining pro-cesses and regional geodynamics. Oued Bellif is remarkable for its iron sulfide and lead‑zinc de-posits, which are essential for understanding metallogenic processes. As for Guelb Saad Moun, it is a volcanic site that serves as a key witness to the geodynamic evolution of the Mediterra-nean. The rigorous application of the evaluation method yielded high values, highlighting the significant scientific and educational importance of these geosites, as well as their strong tour-ism potential. This potential is based on outstanding landscape beauty, remarkable aesthetic quality, and easy accessibility by various means, making these sites particularly attractive to geotourists. However, vulnerability levels vary: La Galite Island and Ras Rajel present moderate risks, while Oued Bellif and Guelb Saad Moun require enhanced protection measures. This re-search advocates for a conservation and enhancement strategy tailored to each site, paving the way for the potential creation of a georoute and a future geopark in Northern Tunisia.
The Tinghir-Dades-Imilchil area is a geosite of high scientific, educational, and touristic values in the Draa-Tafilalet Region, southeast Morocco. It has a rich geodiversity, including mountain ranges, plains, deserts, plateaus, and coasts, offering geomorphological and panoramic views, oases, lacks, and unique geological features (e.g., structural geology, sedimentology, petrogra-phy, paleontology, and hydrogeology). This paper focuses on the inventory and quantitative as-sessment of 25 sites of geological interest using the Global Methodology based on scientific value (SV), potential educational use (PEU) and potential touristic use (PTU), and degradation risk (DR) of each site. Indeed, SV is very high for 15 sites, high for 9 sites, and moderate for 1 site; PEU is very high for 21 sites and high for 4 sites; PTU is very high for 8 sites and high for 17 sites; and DR is high for 10 sites and moderate for 15 sites. Thus, 15 geosites (sites with very high SV values) and 10 geodiversity sites (sites with very high PEU or PTU values) are identified. These sites show highly significant scientific, educational, and touristic potentialities that should be valued and protected from degradation. Our work fits in well with the National Program of the Geology of Morocco-2030 strategy and the UNESCO directives, which aim at the inventory, awareness, valorization, and preservation of geological heritage. In addition, identi-fying and valuing these sites will help increase the area's attractiveness, preserve the environ-ment, and protect and enhance the region's geological history by introducing the geoheritage concept into its local and regional development plans. Suggested recommendations for their valorization and preservation constitute a valuable tool for local stakeholders to program their future sustainable actions and to improve the living conditions of the local population by creating new employment opportunities.
Ternate is an island in the Maluku archipelago, North Maluku province. Ternate Island is a volcanic island with the active volcano Gamalama. The City Government plans to establish a Ternate Geopark. Apart from geological sites such as the volcanic traces of Batu Angus, there is also a distribution of megalithic cultural artifacts in the form of menhirs and monoliths, sa-cred to the sultanate and the Ternate people, called Jere. This research was conducted to inves-tigate the relationship between the distribution of megalithic cultural sites and their natural surroundings.The research includes field surveys, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) rock geochemical analysis, digital elevation model (DEM) analysis, overlay processes, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to obtain geospatial maps of the distribution of megalithic artifacts and the in-fluence of geological parameters on cultural formation. Seven geological parameters and 47 sub-parameters are analyzed. Geological parameters include lithology, elevation, slopes, land-scapes, surface water, groundwater, and volcanic hazard zones. The megalithic cultural sites era influenced three main aspects: volcanic hazard (with an influence of 37.97%; distance from rivers (with an influence of 25.75%), and geomorphology (with an influence of 13.78%). Volcanic hazard parameters are the primary consideration in site placement, especially in subparameter areas without potential disasters (with an influence of 43.86%). The river dis-tance is less than 250 m with an influence of 43.95%, while the geomorphology of the volcano's foot influences 46.85%.
Tropical geoheritage represents a rich and diverse array of geological and geomorphological features with significant scientific, cultural, and aesthetic value. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of tropical geoheritage research based on systematic literature review of common science databases such as Web of Science. This work also highlights the unique geological formations, such as inselbergs, volcanoes, and karst landscapes, that characterize tropical regions from arid to humid realms. A bibliometric analysis of 484 studies published between 2000 and 2023 is conducted, identifying key contributors, countries, and thematic trends in selected evidence, promotion, and future challenges of geodiversity and geoheritage in the tropics. The review underscores the importance of geoconservation and geotourism as tools for preserving geoheritage in tropical regions, which are under increasing threat from climate change, deforestation, and resource exploitation. Various geoconservation strategies, including the creation of geoparks, national tourism promotion, and public education campaigns, are discussed as effective measures for enhancing the benefits of tropical geoheritage conservation. This study highlights the need for transdisciplinary approaches to protect these natural treasures and suggests future research directions focused on sustainable management and the integration of geoheritage into broader environmental conservation frameworks.