Geotourism Approach – Destination Stewardship Center [Video]

The holistic geotourism approach, introduced in 2002, was designed to maximize tourism benefits for a destination community, minimize negative impacts, and build a responsible tourism strategy that celebrates and builds on sense of place.

Here’s the definition of geotourism put forth by National Geographic (coined internally in 1997) and the Travel Industry Association of America (now USTA):

geo·tour·ism n (1997): tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Note—”Geology,” “Landscapes,” and other distinctive and authentic destination attributes may be added to the definition as appropriate.

This section contains information on:

• The 13 Geotourism Principles of the National Geographic Geotourism Charter for destinations.
• The Principles discussed.
• Starting a geotourism program for your community, region, or country.
• Geotourism projects worldwide, including Geotourism MapGuides, individual projects, prospective projects, and the Geotourism Magazine social-enterprise approach.

This section’s purpose:

• To provide a forumfor exchanging …