Geotourism is a term heard more and more these days, yet not many people really know what it means. This article explains the concept of geotourism, the different ways it is defined, its benefits and drawbacks, and some of the best examples of geotourism destinations around the world.
What is geotourism?
Geotourism is a tricky one to define. One way of looking at it is as the term for ‘geological tourism’. To break that down, let’s first look at what geology is. This is the study of the structure, dynamics and evolution of the Earth itself, as well as its natural and mineral energy resources. It is all about examining the processes that have made the planet what it is today.
So, how does that fit into tourism? Geotourism is generally about visiting sites or areas of geological importance. In their book Handbook of Geotourism, Dowling and Newsome define geotourism as follows:
Geotourism is tourism based on geological features. Over time it has been variously described as being a type of tourism that is either ‘geological’ or geographical’ in orientation. Whereas the former view was that geotourism was a ‘type’ of tourism in a similar vein to ecotourism, the latter view was wider and encompassed it thereby representing a new ‘approach’ to tourism. Over a decade ago we espoused the former view that geotourism is a niche form of natural area tourism based on geology and landscape. Four years later we added to the definition by suggesting the fact that geotourism could be undertaken through either ‘independent visits’ or ‘guided tours’ to geological features.
What about geography?
Another, simpler, definition is simply ‘Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents’. This has much less of a science-led focus, and can be applied to anywhere rather than geologically important areas… However, this is the definition used by National Geographic. As such, it relates to geography rather than geology. National Geographic explains that:
Geography –from which ‘geotourism’ derives– is not just about where places are. It’s also about what places are. It’s about what makes one place different from the next. That includes not only flora and fauna, which is the realm of ecotourism, but also historic structures and archaeological sites, scenic landscapes, traditional architecture, and locally grown music, cuisine, crafts, dances, and other arts.
A note on defining geotourism
As with many types of (or approaches to) tourism, there are varying definitions of geotourism. “What is geotourism?” is a difficult question to answer completely, as people have different views on the matter. The best we can do is look at the academic research behind the phenomenon, and see how that relates to real-world travel and tourism. Dowling and Newsome, quoted above, have done extensive research into what geotourism is and the impact it has on the industry. They go on to say:
By now the definition of geotourism had expanded to encompass a number of attributes – geology, tourism, geosites, visits and interpretation. The ‘geo’ or geology part of geotourism includes geological features or attributes which are considered worthy of tourist interest. The ‘tourism’ part refers to the conversion of geological features or attributes into tourism resources as ‘geo’ attractions or tours often at designated ‘geosites’.
However, the definition used by National Geographic tends to be the most popular one. It is succinct and easy to understand – and broader in scope than the geology-based term.
What is the difference between geotourism and ecotourism?
Geotourism is not the same as ecotourism. Ecotourism tends to generally be more hands-on – beach clean ups, litter picking, conservation work and so on. The two types of tourism have been said to be ‘sisters’, in a way, with ecotourism more focused on nature and ecology instead of built environments.
Of course, it all depends on which definition of geotourism is used. If we take the geographic definition above, which talks about sustaining and enhancing the geographical character of an area, then there are clear similarities with ecotourism. In this case, however, there are still major differences. Ecotourism is more focused on nature – green spaces, the ocean, sustainability. Whereas geotourism encompasses the people, the culture, the cuisine and so much more.
Geotourism examples
There are many examples of geographic geotourism around the world. The Destination Center says that ‘destination-stewardship leaders have taken a variety of ways to establish geotourism as a preferred strategy. The goal is to help develop a geotourism mindset—a constituency of stewardship—with corresponding protection of natural and cultural distinctiveness, economic benefits, and improved quality of life.’
This type is about projects which help the community. They are self-aware in name and nature. This might be something like Lake Tahoe’s annual Geotourism Expo. The festival looks to restore the character of a recreational destination which has been long-dominated by generic resorts. Fogo Island, Newfoundland, is also using geotourism in order to reinvent itself as a cultural centre and retreat for artists. To do so it is adapting food, design and materials which are distinctive to this area.
But if we look at Newsome and Dowling’s version, examples differ. There are many sites of geological importance and interest around the world! West Coast Fossil Park in South Africa, for example, is a geology-based tourist site where visitors can see ancient fossils and gain a perspective on the Earth’s history. Other geological sites, like caves, craters and waterfalls, are beautiful as well as really interesting. Geotourism in this sense goes beyond just appreciating the aesthetic of a place…
UNESCO Global Geoparks
One of the most important frameworks for geological geotourism is the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme. UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified areas with internationally significant geology that are managed holistically for protection, education and sustainable development, with local communities closely involved. Tourism is a central part of this approach, using geology as a way to tell the wider story of a place, including its landscapes, people and culture. Following new designations in 2025, there are now more than 220 UNESCO Global Geoparks in around 50 countries, including the English Riviera and the North Pennines in England, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and Katla in Iceland.
The benefits of geotourism
There are many benefits to both types of geotourism. With Newsome and Dowling’s geological version, the educational tourism opportunities are vast. Visitors can often learn far more about geology at sites of geological importance than in a classroom. By visiting the Undara Lava Tubes in Australia, for example, visitors can learn about how lava flows shaped the landscape and ecosystem.
The geographical approach also has many benefits. The whole point is that it enhances or sustains an area and the culture/cuisine/heritage/environment and so on. It ploughs money into local causes and communities, while improving an area so that future generations can visit and enjoy too. It teaches visitors about tourist responsibility, and also protects the heritage of an area – meaning locals can have pride in where they are from. Geotourism projects can also strengthen community spirit.
The disadvantages of geotourism
Geotourism has fewer obvious disadvantages than many forms of tourism, particularly in its geographical form, which is focused on improving or enhancing what is already there and directing money to local people and businesses. However, as with other forms of tourism, there is a risk of a ‘white saviour’ mindset among tourists visiting less developed destinations, an issue also discussed in relation to slum tourism.
When it comes to geological geotourism, problems can occur when large numbers of people visit delicate sites. Erosion, littering, graffiti, the illegal collection of fossils and rocks, and overcrowding at popular sites such as Iceland’s waterfalls or the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland can all cause damage. Careful visitor management, interpretation and responsible behaviour by tourists can help to minimise these impacts.
Destinations
Destinations are listed below in two groups – geographical and geological.
Geographical geotourism destinations
These are destinations that are part of the National Geographic geotourism content marketing platform. They are supported by Nat Geo, providing a “platform for destinations to inventory and promote the places that locals most respect and recommend, in partnership with National Geographic.” The list below is not exhaustive, but includes some examples of destinations and projects that have taken part.
- Tennessee River Valley
- Heart of the Continent: Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Ontario
- Bay Islands of Honduras: Utila, Roatán and Guanaja
- Tibet & the Himalayas
- Teton Geotourism Center, Driggs, Idaho
- Fogo Island, Newfoundland
- The Hurtigruten cruise ship fleet
- The GeoWisata project in Bogor, Java, Indonesia
It should be noted that the National Geographic geotourism platform is no longer adding new destinations.
Geological geotourism destinations
Below is a list of fascinating destinations. These are all sites of some geological importance or interest.
- Faial’s Badlands, the Azores, Portugal
- Aletsch Glacier, Valais, Switzerland
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
- El Teide, Tenerife
- Mingsha Singing Sand Dunes, Dunhuang, China
- The Matterhorn, Switzerland
- Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK
- Meteor Crater in Arizona
- Niagara Falls, New York
- Siwalik Fossil Park, India
Geotourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about geotourism.
What is geotourism?
Geotourism can mean tourism based on geological features, such as volcanoes, caves, fossils and landforms, or, in National Geographic’s broader definition, tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, including its environment, culture, heritage and the wellbeing of its residents.
What is the difference between geotourism and ecotourism?
Ecotourism focuses mainly on nature, wildlife and conservation, while geotourism focuses on geology or, in its broader sense, on the whole character of a place, including culture, heritage and communities.
What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?
A UNESCO Global Geopark is an area with internationally significant geology that is managed for conservation, education and sustainable development, with geotourism playing an important role. There are more than 220 worldwide.
What are examples of geotourism destinations?
Examples include the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater in the USA, El Teide in Tenerife, the Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland and UNESCO Global Geoparks such as the English Riviera.
What are the benefits of geotourism?
Geotourism provides educational opportunities, supports local communities and economies, encourages the protection of geological and cultural heritage, and promotes responsible travel.
Geotourism: Further reading
If you found this article on geotourism useful, these articles may also be of interest:
- Ecotourism: Everything you need to know
- What is sustainable tourism and why does it matter?
- The Best Eco Lodges in the World
- What is responsible tourism and why does it matter?
- Agritourism: What, where and why
