Geotouristic Route Proposal for Touristic Development in a Mining Area—Case Study

Abstract

In recent decades, geotourism has been presented as an alternative for the sustainable socioeconomic development of the community. In addition, it shows significant growth. Portovelo canton, located in the south of Ecuador, is characterised by a significant geological importance complemented by the mining culture and history interest, turning into the first mining centre. Mining is the main economic activity in the area. However, the development of illegal mining without technical considerations affects the canton and its surroundings. Faced with this problem, the need arises for alternatives to improve the inhabitants’ quality of life and protect their geological heritage. This work aims to propose a geotouristic route (GR) in the course of the Amarillo River through the characterisation and quantitative assessment of 10 interest sites (four geosites and six touristic sites), which enhance the geotourism development of the canton, including geoconservation strategies. The methodological process includes (i) characterisation of sites and GR proposal, (ii) sites and GR assessment using the Geotouristic Route Assessment Matrix method (GtRAM, acronym in Spanish) and Brilha method for geosites, and (iii) proposal of geotourism development and geoconservation strategies in a sustainability framework through the analysis of strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats (SWOT). The results obtained from the proposed GR reflect that 60% of the proposed sites have a tourist interest classified as high, of which the Museo Mineralógico Magner Turner was the best-rated geoheritage element. Similarly, the high scientific, educational, and tourist values of the proposed geoheritage sites are highlighted. Strategies have been established to enhance the GR value: (i) Promoting geotourism through different activities and (ii) proposals for geoconservation and conditioning of geoheritage sites and tourist interest sites considering the geological and environmental impact. The methodology used in the study made it possible to establish geo-guidelines focused on local development, which are coupled with the knowledge of two main groups: Geo-experts and the community.

Mining-based tourism in Sawahlunto National Geopark

“…Mining landform including quarries, pits, coal mines, and other mines is popular also as anthropogenic landforms and has great potential for the geotourism objects (Kubalíková, 2017;Singh & Ghosh, 2021). The classification of geotourism values that usually occurred in mining areas is as follows: Geosites and geomorphosites are sites of geological interest with high scientific, educational, and tourist value, representing the geological heritage and promoting conservation (Carrion-Mero et al, 2022). Anthropogenic sites are man-made sites that have scientific, educational, cultural, tourist, and conservation values (Kubalíková, 2017).…”

Georesources as an Alternative for Sustainable Development in COVID-19 Times—A Study Case in Ecuador

“…In addition, sustainable development strategies were established considering the SDGs. Additionally, this phase includes the proposal of a georoute, evaluating the 16 sites of geological interest using the Geotouristic Routes Assessment Matrix (GtRAM) method [158]. The GtRAM method was used because it is based mainly on evaluating tourist characteristics concerning what the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador establishes about a tourist site [121,159].…”

“…The GtRAM method was used because it is based mainly on evaluating tourist characteristics concerning what the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador establishes about a tourist site [121,159]. Additionally, this method has already been applied in some case studies in the country [158][159][160].…”

“…Parameters used for the geotouristic routes assessment through the GtRAM method. Source: Adapted from [158].…”

Application of Geomechanical Classification Systems in a Tourist Mine for Establishing Strategies within 3G’s Model

“…In addition, within its operational plan, the local government (political-socialeconomic system) includes the mine as a site of geological interest for the "Ruta del Oro Geopark" project, which seeks to achieve sustainable development and mitigate illegal mining activity. The academic intervention (educational-natural system) complements this initiative through the projects the "Register of geological and mining heritage and its incidence in the defence and preservation of geodiversity in Ecuador" and "Proposal for the Ruta del Oro Geopark and its impact on territorial development", with a clear objective of identifying, evaluating, and disseminating the geotourism potential of the area [75,96,97], including geosite conditioning strategies considering the environmental impact [98]. Finally, the interaction between the five systems allows for the creation of knowledge of geoheritage and environmental awareness to achieve sustainable community development.…”