Analysis of Network Activities in Geoparks as Geotourism Destinations

• Published in: The international journal of tourism research Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Farsani, Neda T., Coelho, Celeste O. A., Costa, Carlos M. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2014; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: collaboration; Conservation; Ecotourism; Environmental protection; geopark; geotourism; Green marketing; Information sharing; innovation; National parks; network analysis; Studies; Europe
• ISSN: 1099-2340; 1522-1970
• DOI: 10.1002/jtr.1879

ABSTRACT Geoparks as an innovation for the protection of natural and geological heritage play an important role in the development of geotourism and knowledge exchange. The European Geopark Network and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network have introduced geotourism as one of the main target for geoparks in parallel with conservation and education. For that purpose, it is crucial to apply the network concept to geotourism activities. This paper is aimed at analysing network activity between geoparks and evaluating the connectivity rate of the Global Geoparks Network and the European Geoparks Network. It was concluded that UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and European Geoparks Network have concentrated their network activities on the areas of meetings, conferences and exchange of knowledge. Moreover, the authorities of geoparks have attempted a development of tourism marketing in their territory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.