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Land
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Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II
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Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Landscape Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 9160

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Zgłobicki

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Guest Editor
Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Maria Curie Sklodowska University, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Interests: hillslope geomorphology; geochemistry; heavy metals; geotourism; geoheritage; landscape ecology; soil and gully erosion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bogusława Baran-Zgłobicka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Kraśnicka Av. 2d, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Interests: spatial planning; management of rural areas; tourism and leisure; geoturism; landscape ecology; land use changes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, in many parts of the world, an intensive development of tourism based on the values of geoheritage has been observed. This phenomenon should be assessed positively due to the fact that geotourism is not a form of mass tourism and therefore creates the possibility of sustainable development of certain areas, without threatening the values of their environment. Geotourism is implemented mainly on the basis of geoparks. Their international importance increased significantly after the approval of the UNESCO Global Geopark concept in 2015. At that time, the necessity of holistic management of geosites and landscapes, which can be realized within geoparks, was recognized. Their important function is the education of tourists in the field of Earth sciences, based on geological exposures, landforms, and viewpoints occurring in their areas. An additional advantage could be the presence of archaeological, ecological, historical, and cultural values in these areas. The increase in tourist traffic can also be an opportunity for the economic development of areas that have not been visited in large numbers so far. A necessary condition is the proper spatial planning and management of the space used by tourists and the preparation of appropriate infrastructure. Geoparks can therefore be treated as functional areas—spatial structures consisting of functionally related areas with uniform development goals.

This Special Issue welcomes papers focusing on topics including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Development of geopark networks in individual countries;
  • Assessment of the impact of geotourism on the use of landscapes;
  • The role of spatial planning in geotourism;
  • Good practices in geopark management;
  • Problems of education in the field of geoheritage.

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Zgłobicki 
Dr. Bogusława Baran-Zgłobicka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geotourism
  • geoheritage
  • geoconservation
  • geoparks
  • spatial management
  • sustainable development

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 8500 KiB  
Article
Geotourism Based on Geoheritage as a Basis for the Sustainable Development of the Golija Nature Park, Southwest Serbia
by Aleksandar S. Petrović, Ivana Carević, Dušica Trnavac Bogdanović, Marko Langović, Natalija Batoćanin and Jovan Petronijević
Land 2025, 14(4), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040835 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Golija Mountain, located in the southwestern part of Serbia, has been under protection as the Golija Nature Park since 2001. It is protected to preserve its forest ecosystems, diverse landscapes of exceptional beauty, and cultural heritage. Due to its natural and cultural values, [...] Read more.
Golija Mountain, located in the southwestern part of Serbia, has been under protection as the Golija Nature Park since 2001. It is protected to preserve its forest ecosystems, diverse landscapes of exceptional beauty, and cultural heritage. Due to its natural and cultural values, the Golija Nature Park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the name “Golija-Studenica” in the same year. In addition to its ecosystem values, due to the complex geological and geomorphological past, there are a significant number of geodiversity objects on the mountains in the park. Research on these geodiversity objects has been the focus of the park’s administration in recent years. This protected natural area faces several challenges, with the sustainable development of tourism being one of the most significant. The construction of a large ski center is planned, which has already triggered the spontaneous development of unregulated weekend settlements near the mountain’s highest peaks. Geotourism provides an alternative to this development. Geosites, as the most representative landscapes and landforms, serve as key attractions for geotourists. The main goal of this work was to find appropriate geoactivities related to geosites that will enhance the geotourism offer, all with the aim of achieving the sustainable development of the Golija Nature Park. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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32 pages, 13812 KiB  
Article
The “Gutâi-Maramureș” UNESCO Geopark Project Development and Heritage Values-Based Sustainable Tourism in the Gutâi Volcanic Zone, East Carpathians (Romania)
by Marinel Kovacs, Alexandru Szakács, Alexandru Andrășanu and Ioan Denuț
Land 2025, 14(4), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040726 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 363
Abstract
The “Gutâi-Maramureș” UNESCO Global Geopark project is to be realized in the Gutâi Volcanic Zone in the northwestern part of the East Carpathians (Romania), an area with long-lasting and complex Miocene volcanic activity and a centuries-long mining history. In order to identify the [...] Read more.
The “Gutâi-Maramureș” UNESCO Global Geopark project is to be realized in the Gutâi Volcanic Zone in the northwestern part of the East Carpathians (Romania), an area with long-lasting and complex Miocene volcanic activity and a centuries-long mining history. In order to identify the volcanism and mining-related patrimonial values, in combination with other natural and cultural assets able to support the establishment of a UNESCO geopark, and to develop a sustainable tourism in the area, this paper presents the main objectives of the adopted research methodology, namely to realize (1) a geological synthesis of the area, (2) an inventory and assessment of geological and mining heritage sites, (3) a synthesis of local biodiversity, and (4) documentation of the cultural, historical and archaeological values. Furthermore, we conducted a SWOT analysis to help define the optimal territory for the geopark, to establish the core values for a strong brand identity, and to develop educational and sustainable tourism activities. This paper presents all the significant heritage values located within the future geopark area: geosites of international scientific significance, sites related to centuries-long mining of precious metals, natural protected areas, including European Natura 2000 sites, important cultural heritage sites such as old wooden churches (five of them included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) and museums. The promotion of sustainable tourism in the area by harnessing all these patrimonial values could be realized by the implementation of the geoeducation and geotourism concepts during the project development based on previous experiences/activities in the area involving local people, NGOs and institutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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15 pages, 9837 KiB  
Article
Mobile Applications as a Tool for Tourism Management in Geoparks (Case Study: Potential Geopark Małopolski Przełom Wisły, E Poland)
by Agata Kneć and Wojciech Zgłobicki
Land 2025, 14(4), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040676 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
One of the most important challenges facing the development of geotourism is the preparation of tourism products that present geoheritage assets. Nowadays, the Internet and various mobile applications are the primary sources of information about the tourist attractions of specific destinations. Key areas [...] Read more.
One of the most important challenges facing the development of geotourism is the preparation of tourism products that present geoheritage assets. Nowadays, the Internet and various mobile applications are the primary sources of information about the tourist attractions of specific destinations. Key areas of geotourism development are currently geoparks. However, only about 5% of them have their own mobile applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existing mobile applications of geoparks, obtain information on tourists’ expectations of such products, and propose an application concept for the area of the potential Geopark Małopolski Przełom Wisły. One of the challenges for the potential geopark is the concentration of tourist traffic, primarily in the vicinity of the town of Kazimierz Dolny, due to the lack of knowledge of tourists about the values of the rest of the territory. The prepared application is the first geotourism product that we believe will become an important source of information for tourists and will help them in deciding which sites to visit during their stay in the aspiring geopark. When made available, it will affect more tourist traffic in places that have been rarely visited so far but have high geoheritage values, which may encourage local communities to support activities for the creation of the geopark. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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17 pages, 1866 KiB  
Article
The More Advanced, the Better? A Comparative Analysis of Interpretation Effectiveness of Different Media on Environmental Education in a Global Geopark
by Shuhui Zheng, Liqun Zhu, Lisheng Weng and Xiuyu Gu
Land 2024, 13(12), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122005 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 783
Abstract
Tourism interpretation serves as a bridge and link between tourism resources and tourists. Through interpretation, visitors can be effectively conveyed knowledge about environmental education, local history, society and culture, etc. Despite extensive study on tourism interpretation, insufficient attention has been directed towards the [...] Read more.
Tourism interpretation serves as a bridge and link between tourism resources and tourists. Through interpretation, visitors can be effectively conveyed knowledge about environmental education, local history, society and culture, etc. Despite extensive study on tourism interpretation, insufficient attention has been directed towards the medium of interpretation and the variances of interpretation effectiveness across different media. Using Yandang Mountain Global Geopark, Zhejiang Province, China, as a case study, the present study investigates the differences in pre- and post-interpretation and the interpretation effectiveness of different media on visitors’ perceived knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed during two data collection periods, resulting in 554 valid responses. The results indicate that respondents that engaged in tourism interpretation related to environmental education demonstrated superior performance across all three dimensions compared to those who were not exposed to such interpretation. Additionally, the findings suggest that while the novelty of virtual reality may draw increased attention from tourists, the changes in perceived knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding the destination following VR exposure do not exceed those prompted by brochures and videos. The present study can enrich the research on the tourism interpretation of environmental education and offer references for managers to select appropriate media and provide good practices in geopark management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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19 pages, 2451 KiB  
Article
Proposal for Effective Management of Geoparks as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism in the Conditions of the Slovak Republic
by Mário Molokáč, Enikő Kornecká and Dana Tometzová
Land 2024, 13(7), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071104 - 22 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
Geoparks, as sustainable tourism products, embody a range of values and functions aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of tourism on the landscape. The current increasing trend in establishing and supporting geoparks has extended to the territory of the Slovak Republic, which possesses [...] Read more.
Geoparks, as sustainable tourism products, embody a range of values and functions aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of tourism on the landscape. The current increasing trend in establishing and supporting geoparks has extended to the territory of the Slovak Republic, which possesses valuable natural potential. However, effectively harnessing this potential requires a clearly defined management structure aligned with the goals and mission of each geopark. The paper presents the operational aspects of geoparks in Slovakia, providing a comprehensive overview of geopark management followed by a subsequent evaluation. Assessing the management approach yields valuable insights into the ongoing development of Slovak geoparks, serving as a stepping stone for their further advancement. These geoparks are in a state of continual evolution, demanding significant support to ensure their efficient functioning. The study establishes clear quality management criteria for optimal staffing. The main objective of the paper is to demonstrate the need for the professionalization of human resources in geopark management. Additionally, the article concludes with a model for a strategic approach to human resources management, covering all its areas. Geoparks, as a modern product of geotourism and territorial management, represent innovative strategies for protecting and conserving geodiversity. They are closely intertwined with knowledge dissemination, education, and fostering a broader appreciation for the Earth’s value. Moreover, they play a vital role in the sustainable development and preservation of territories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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25 pages, 4031 KiB  
Article
Attractiveness Assessment Model for Evaluating an Area for a Potential Geopark—Case Study: Hațeg UNESCO Global Geopark (Romania)
by Judith Nyulas, Ștefan Dezsi, Ionel Haidu, Zsolt Magyari-Sáska and Adrian Niță
Land 2024, 13(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020148 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1659
Abstract
Many studies have developed methods for assessing attractiveness, but the question is which one should be used to evaluate geopark designated areas? Therefore, the aim of this study is to find suitable criteria for assessing the attractiveness of a natural area such as [...] Read more.
Many studies have developed methods for assessing attractiveness, but the question is which one should be used to evaluate geopark designated areas? Therefore, the aim of this study is to find suitable criteria for assessing the attractiveness of a natural area such as a geopark in order to find the best quantifiable method as a methodological guide to evaluate attractiveness. The principle of the methodology takes into account three facts: the use of available attractiveness methods elaborated over time, the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) geopark requirements, and a certified geopark (Haţeg UNESCO Global Geopark was chosen as etalon—benchmark), then matching these together. To this end, the following specific objectives have been set: (i) an inventory of factors used to estimate attractiveness; (ii) through analysis, identifying the appropriate evaluation criteria for the field (a set for criteria’s SMART parameter, which can be clearly expressed, quantitatively measurable, and achievable); and (iii) developing a methodological guideline for geopark attractiveness assessment. The methodology is based on an analytical thinking approach, builds on the experience of existing methods, and stands out by the attributes matched to the UGGp’s evaluation criteria using the certified geopark as a benchmark. The result itself presents a method for assessing the attractiveness of geoparks. The outcome offers the attractiveness suitability for new geopark-designated areas as well as for existing geoparks aspiring to UNESCO certification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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23 pages, 38062 KiB  
Article
Suitability of Valleys of Cantabria Area for a UGGp Proposal
by Jaime Bonachea, Alberto González-Díez, Javier Hernández-Blanco, Juan Remondo and Victoria Rivas
Land 2023, 12(12), 2177; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122177 - 17 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2570
Abstract
UNESCO-designated geoparks, intended for conservation, seek to drive economic development via geological heritage education and tourism. Since 2018, within the framework of the European project Atlantic Geoparks (Interreg Atlantic area program), the Valleys of Cantabria project has been promoted to declare a UNESCO [...] Read more.
UNESCO-designated geoparks, intended for conservation, seek to drive economic development via geological heritage education and tourism. Since 2018, within the framework of the European project Atlantic Geoparks (Interreg Atlantic area program), the Valleys of Cantabria project has been promoted to declare a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) in the Cantabria region (northern Spain). The Valles de Cantabria proposal, aligning with UNESCO objectives, evaluates the region’s geopark potential, emphasizing sustainable development and societal education. Covering 600 km2 in eastern Cantabria, the territory involves 19 municipalities and has a population of 60,600. The geological context, ranging from the Triassic to the Quaternary periods, reflects the complex evolution of this territory, which has been influenced by tectonic forces, geomorphological processes, and sea-level changes. Detailed reviews and fieldwork performed by experts, including university researchers, have identified 66 sites of geological interest (SGI). The geosites, which have different geological–geomorphological significances, have been assessed according to their scientific value (including educational importance), potential of use (mainly geotouristic use), and vulnerability or risk of degradation. The geological heritage is directly related to the high biodiversity of the area. The challenges of this territory, such as depopulation and the low income of the inhabitants, can be improved with the declaration of a geopark, which would help to create new job opportunities related to geotourism and sustainable development. UNESCO recognition could catalyse scientific research, address socioeconomic challenges, and foster rural revitalization, strengthening the symbiotic relationship between geoconservation and local economic growth. Collaboration with other Atlantic geoparks has enabled the exchange of experiences that will hopefully deepen in the future. Consequently, the aim of this work is to explore the potential of this territory in terms of high-quality geological features and biological and cultural heritage, as well as to evaluate the socioeconomic context that makes the territory potentially suitable for promoting a UGGp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geoparks as a Form of Tourism Space Management II)
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