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

Authors :
Paúl Carrión-Mero
Geanella Herrera-Narváez
Gricelda Herrera-Franco
Emily Sánchez-Zambrano
Josep Mata-Perelló
Edgar Berrezueta
Source :
Minerals, Vol 11, Iss 4, p 351 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

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.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11040351 and 2075163X
Volume :
11
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Minerals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.53ac661a787148d687d5d5407e901ca1
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/min11040351