Geotourism: Towards Geoconservation and Economic Beneficiation

Dear Colleagues,

Geotourism has emerged as a new novel tourism paradigm. Despite this, there remains a paucity of research, particularly in its contribution to geoconservation and local economic beneficiation. The integration of geotourism and geoconservation concepts into national tourism policies and strategies is not yet widespread. Numerous nations and regions are currently contending with challenges such as extreme climate change events, anthropogenic and natural impacts on geological heritage, and the absence of economic benefits derived from natural resources. Considering these challenges, researchers have identified geotourism as a burgeoning field of study and a viable solution for stimulating and generating local economic benefits, while simultaneously conserving significant geoheritage sites. This Special Issue is dedicated to the interdisciplinary concept of geotourism, underscoring its crucial role in safeguarding geological heritage and fostering local economic beneficiation through the sustainable utilization of notable geological features, landscapes, and associated heritage assets. It highlights geotourism’s contribution to environmental stewardship and justice, cultural appreciation, and community involvement.

This Special Issue aims to advance scholarly understanding and practical applications of geotourism by showcasing cutting-edge research, exemplary practices, and emerging trends. The objective is to foster communication among academics, practitioners, and policymakers, thereby enhancing the value and sustainability of geotourism research and initiatives worldwide. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize geotourism as a model for intergrading nature, biodiversity, and society. This Special Issue encompasses a wide range of topics including the following:

• Geoheritage inventory and evaluation;
• Methodological contributions to geoheritage and geotourism research;
• Geotourism evaluation and development;
• Local economic beneficiation;
• Community engagement and empowerment through geotourism;
• Geotourism’s role in achieving sustainable development goals;
• Motivational factors in geotourism;
• Stakeholder perceptions on geoheritage and geotourism;
• Geoconservation strategies, benefits, and challenges;
• Threats and resilience related to geotourism and geoheritage;
• Geoeducation;
• Interpretation and communication of geoheritage;
• Geotrails and geotours;
• Hospitality and marketing of geotourism;
• Relationship between geotourism and cultural heritage;
• Geotourism and Indigenous Knowledge Systems;
• Biodiversity connection with geoheritage and geotourism;
• Geomining heritage and geotourism;
• Geotourism governance and legal frameworks;
• Innovative technologies and strategies for geoheritage and geotourism;
• Rural and urban geotourism;
• Geoparks research;
• Geotourism in protected areas;
• Case studies from diverse geographical regions.

Dr. Khodani Matshusa
Prof. Dr. Llewellyn Leonard
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• geoheritage
• geotourism
• geoparks
• geoconservation
• economic beneficiation
• social sustainability