Assessment and Promotion of Geotouristic and Geomining Routes as a Basis for Local Development: A Case Study

Abstract

Travel itineraries are fundamental in the development of tourism of a given area. Traditional thematic routes (e.g., architectural, archaeological) can be significantly improved and optimized by including geological and mining interest sites. The present study offers an analysis of the influence that inclusion of geosites or mining sites could have on the existing routes of the Zaruma-Portovelo region (Ecuador), together with a global assessment of these itineraries as the basis of fostering local development in communities of the region. The methodology consists of the following stages: (i) compilation of existing travel itineraries; (ii) analysis and assessment of those geosites and mining sites that are included in two geotouristic routes through the Spanish Inventory of Places of Geological Interest method (IELIG, acronym in Spanish), but have not been assessed previously; (iii) assessment of existing routes (two geotouristic routes and one geomining route) from a global perspective through the Geotouristic Route Assessment Matrix method (GtRAM, acronym in Spanish); and (iv) definition of strategies for the development and promotion of travel itineraries within the context of geotourism. According to the results of quantitative assessment, three new sites (both geosites and mining sites) were studied and their obtained score of interest was “High” (164/400). The existing routes achieved good results both from the geological-mining perspective “High” score of (189/400) and within a global context “Very High” score of (3.5/5). The quantitative assessment allowed us to propose improvement strategies to disseminate and use these itineraries to unfold sustainable development based on geotourism.

Georoutes as a Basis for Territorial Development of the Pacific Coast of South America: a Case Study

“…The study was developed in four phases (Fig. 3 ): (i) inventory of geosites (including sites of geomorphological, structural, stratigraphic, hydrogeological, and palaeontological character) and sites of industrial heritage interest; (ii) proposal of itineraries combining geosites and sites of industrial heritage interest; (iii) assessment of the proposed routes through the GtRAM method (Herrera-Franco et al 2020b ; Carrión-Mero et al 2021b ) and general study of their reception capacity in the territory (Gómez Orea 2008 ); (iv) definition of strategies based on a SWOT analysis (Dyson 2004 ) to evaluate the routes and their influence on local geotourism development.

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“…The third phase consisted of the quantitative evaluation of the georoutes to be analysed by the Geotouristic Route Assessment Matrix method (GtRAM, acronym in Spanish) (Carrión-Mero et al 2021b ). The GtRAM method is based on the information of sites registered as tourist sites by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador (MINTUR, acronym in Spanish).…”

“…One of the common strategies to facilitate tourism within geoparks is the creation of “ geological routes ” or georoutes that connect geosites of unique geological interest and are suitable for education, research, and tourism activities (Meléndez et al 2012 ; Albani et al 2020 ). In the definition of Carrión-Mero et al ( 2021b ), “the geological routes connect geosites in a sequential and orderly manner to represent a given sector’s geodiversity. These tours are self-guided and designed to know the natural space’s characteristics through a route where stops are established.…”

Proposal for a Mining-Touristic Route in Parque Minero Industrial Mochuelo Bajo, Bogota. A Look from the Environmental, Social and Productive Factor

“…The proposed elements at a methodological level, in addition to what has already been formulated by Kubalí ková , [19] are, the consolidation of a mining-touristic route as well as the estimate of the cost of the routes path. The first one, which refers to the route itself, was addressed after having realized the importance of establishing a tour that would allow the recognition of the geodiversity as well as of the relevant geo-sites in clay exploitation, which is a methodological aspect considered as relevant by researchers such as Carrión-Mero et al [26]. Furthermore, in order to know the diversity of industrial processes, which make part of the brick factories history, visits to different companies part of the MIP El Mochuelo were made.…”

A Mineralogical Museum as a Geotourism Attraction: A Case Study

“…Geographically, the museum's territory is on the western slope of the Cordillera de los Andes (Cordillera Chilla) in the middle-upper section of the hydrographic basin Puyango River. Morphologically, the most notable characteristic is the mountainous relief, characterised by fluvial incisions with significant water flows [44][45][46]. The main characteristics of the terrain are irregular landscapes with steep slopes (30-45 • ) towards the NW and shallow slopes (20 • -35 • ) towards the SE [47].…”