Inauguration of Training Course on “ Official Geotour Guiding" in Iran

After Inauguration ceremony of the first Official Geotour guide training course at the faculty of Tourism Science in the University of Science and Culture, - in the morning of April 10th, 2014- , in Iran , all geotourism students and Official geotour guide trainees from different academic disciplines experienced their first scientific field visit in Northwestern Iran on 18 May 2014 under supervision of Bahram N. Sadry , geo-course designer and executive director of the first geotour guiding courses, and the geotourism textbooks writer, in Iran.

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Some of Geotour guide trainees and geotourism MSc students visiting  Asiab kharabe potential geosite in the proposed geopark of Iran to the UNESCO  ( Jolfa region, Northwestern Iran)

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Famous Road cutting in the globe ( Outcrop available in the 55 Km Zanjan - Tabriz Highway) as an other potential geosite for geotourism promotion in I.R.Iran. 

                       

About aforementioned outcrop Please Find out more at: http://geolog.egu.eu/2013/09/23/imaggeo-on-mondays-great-faults-and-faultless-geotourism/

Hearing the death of Dr. Bojan Erhartic

 Sorrowfully ,Our colleague  of the IAG working group on Geomorphosites

And Pioneer on geomorphological sites research & geoturism Research  in Slovenia, Dr. Bojan Erhartic, passed away!

I sat down when  he was done,
I couldn't say anything,
I buried my face in my hands,
the last words in my heart said, "goodbye Bojan”

Message from Prof. Emmanuel Reynard about the accident

Dear colleagues of the IAG working group on Geomorphosites,

We are very sad to inform you that our Slovenian colleague Bojan Erhartic (born in 1979), from the Anton Melik Geographical Institute in Ljubjana, some days ago in a flight accident. According to our colleague Blaz Komac, he was on a flight across the Julian Alps and when flying back to the Portorož airport the airplane hit an electric cable, the wing was tear off and the plane crashed.

Bojan has been very active, with his colleagues of the Geographical institute, in the working group on Geomorphosites. He was a pioneer on geomorphological sites research in Slovenia and developed several studies on the Slovenian geomorphological heritage and geotourism, and participated actively to the development of the Slovenian school of geomorphology. Several of us met him at the last Conference on Geomorphology on Paris, where he was plenty of projects for the future.

All our condolences to his family and colleagues,

For the whole working group,

Emmanuel, Paola and Fabien

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Emmanuel Reynard

Université de Lausanne, Institut de géographie et durabilité, Géopolis, CH – 1015 Lausanne

Tourism industry in geopraks

The multidisciplinary nature of the concept of Geopark and  tourism promotion in geoparks, in the holistic nature, differentiates itself from other models of sustainable tourism. In fact, sustainable tourism promotion in geopark actually encompasses many of the subdivisions of sustainable tourism including: geotourism (geo-site tourism: as a basic factor), community-based tourism and integrated rural tourism(as a vital needs), ecotourism, cultural heritage tourism and etc. Finally tourism promotion in Geopark, as a geographically sustainable and applicable tourism model, aims to sustains, or even enhances, the  geographical character of a place.

Geotourism PhDs in the world

Fortunately, some true studies is in progress around the world, But, It is required to mention that we can rarely find true geotouristic focus phd thesis(major works) in the world, such as Thomas Hose(2003)(As a pioneer work) and Mamoon Allan’(2011)(as second one) studies, but in the multi -disciplinary approach, more phd thesis can be added to the below list.

1. Thomas Alfred Hose - 2003- (Geotourism- study on the effective geo-interpretation in  geo-museum(secondary geosites) & geo-site)- He holds a doctorate from the University of Birmingham in England (As a  self conducted and a groundbreaking study). Now, Dr. Tom Hose , works as a Honorary Research Associate at School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol ,the UK.

2. Aise KyoungJin Kim- 2007 - (Geo-interpretation- study on visitors' geo-environmental Attitudes and Behaviour),She holds a doctorate from the University of Surrey,the UK, under Prof. Airey' supervision.(Now, Dr.Aise Kim, is a senior lecturer of tourism management in the School of Management at the University of South Australia, Australia. Her research interests include sustainable tourism, interpretation, tourist behaviour, tourism marketing,and geotourism). Her book,extracted from her PhD thesis is:' Kim A.k.(2011)Environmental interpretation and sustainable tourism: Promoting Visitors' Environmental Attitudes and Behaviour, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 436 pages.

LINK:http://www.amazon.com/Environmental-interpretation-sustainable-tourism-Promoting/dp/384542995X "

3. Mamoon Allan -2011- (geotourism- understanding of motivations for a geo- experience ), He holds a doctorate from Edith Cown University in Australia under Prof. Dowling' supervision.(to find some details of Dr. Allan' book , extracted from his phd thesis, please go to blog Archive in 2011 and into the geoturism books .

4. Young Ng – May 2012 - (Geo-interpretation- He completed his Phd thesis on geoparks and geotourism. He studied the two geo-parks in China - at Leiqiong and Danxiashan - and applied lessons learned from the case studies to help the Hong Kong geopark),he holds a doctorate from  the school of geosciences at the the University of Sydney, Australia, Associate Professor Phil McManus, along with Associate Professor Deirdre Dragovich, supervised his PhD thesis. (Now He teaches geotourism in Hong Kong and works as a geoconservation expert at the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. . In July 2012, Dr. Ng was awarded a Medal of Honour by the Hong Kong SAR for his work on geoconservation generally).

5. Ms. Chris Grant, PhD student (now, works on her geotourism phd thesis) at Manchester Metropolitan University. Also she is a lecturer in Business at University of Bolton, the UK.

6. Mr. Ari Brozinski currently working on his geotourism PhD in Turku, Finland.

7. Mr. Đorđije A. Vasiljević, PhD student (now, works on his geo-tourism Phd thesis) at  Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Also he is Teaching Assistant and  Research Associate at the aforementioned department, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.

Title of His PhD thesis : "Geodiversity and geoheritage of Vojvodina Province - conservation and tourism", and is in progress.

  -(Please help improve this post by adding more PhD stories in geotourism and some more data to our colleagues around the world)-
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Hose, T. A. (2003)" Geotourism in England: A two-region case study analysis. unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Birmingham, Birmingham.

KyoungJin Kim, Aise (2007) “Visitor Interpretation and Sustainable Tourism: a study of the role of interpretation in influencing attitudes and behaviour toward environmental conservation”, PhD thesis, School of Management , University of Surrey.UK (Published PhD thesis in 2011).

Allan, Mamoon (2011) “Geotourism: Toward A Better Understanding Of Motivations For A Geotourism Experience(A Self-Determination Theory Perspective)”, PhD thesis, Edith Cowan University, Australia.(published thesis in 2012)

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Geo- Tourism Education

After releasing the first comprehensive book on the subject Geotourism in 2006, now geotourism education is gradually emerging in  some countries but generally speaking, interdisciplinary nature of geotourism makes it difficult for easily developing. Now, geotourism education is divided into the two formal educational programmes in  the few countries, such as: Iran, Australia, and  in Pakistan.

1.     the geology programme In Iran , at Payame Noor University, Bachelor‘s degree courses on geology offer optional geotourism unit. And the Earth Science Division of the University, introduced a new geotourism reference book, written by B. Nekouie Sadry and  B. Hajalilou in 2011, in the PNU’ self-study style, for geology students.

2.     the tourism programme A. “In Australia, at Edith Cowan University in Perth, a geotourism unit is offered in the tourism programme as part of a tourism degree in a faculty of business” (Newsome and Dowling , 2010) for tourism students. B. The book,” Fundamentals of Geotourism” written by B. Nekouie-Sadry, offered for all faculties of tourism management in Iran. Samt organization  in Iran listed this book in 2009, as tourism management curriculum supplement in Bachelor and Master  level for the geography of tourism units. Also, a geotourism unit offered in the ecotourism Master programmes in Iran and recently at Science and Culture University in Tehran aforementioned textbook introduced as a  source book to students.

Newsome, D. and Dowling , R.K. (eds) (2010) Geotourism: The Tourism of Geology and Landscape. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers. Dowling ,R. and Newsome, D.( eds )(2006) Geotourism . Elsevier/ Heineman , Oxford, UK. Hajalilou, B. &  Sadry, B.N. (2011)” Geotourism” , Payame Noor University Press. 250 p.( in Persian).  Sadry, B.N (2009)" Fundamentals of Geotourism: with a special emphasis on Iran", Samt Organization publishers, Tehran.220p. (English Summary available Online at: http://physio-geo.revues.org/3159?file=1).

Geotourism finds new life in modern era!

 Thomas A. Hose, the father of modern geo-tourism ,who defined geotourism in 1995 for the first time in the world.(Pic.Source: http://inqua-loess.org/)

geo-tourism (in modern era)is a term promoted in modern era by Thomas Alfred Hose,
And his latest definition of geotourism is “The provision of interpretative and service facilities for geosites and geomorphosites and their encompassing topography, together with their associated in-situ and ex-situ artefacts, to constituency-build for their conservation by generating appreciation, learning and research by and for current and future generations".

In addition, modern geotourism concepts promoted world widely by Ross kingston Dowling and David Newsome through publishing the first comperehensive geotourism book in 2006 and then by Bahram Nekouie Sadry this concept elevated in status as a new approach in tourism industry (namely: Abiotic Nature-Based Tourism industry),in the world ,in 2009 - further than a new niche tourism - For More details please go to the Blog Archives in 2011.

Geo-Tourism Misconceptions: “Geological Tourism” or “General Tourism" in Sustainable Manner”?

There are some questions, actually misconceptions about geotourism, and when googling geotourism, there are lots of confusing things about this term ,So I want to try to clear up for you.
First of all 'Geological Tourism is one of the multiple components of  Sustainable Tourism Industry' .But unfortunately the latest redefinition of sustainable tourism, called "Geo-tourism"by the Travel Industry Association of America in 2002. Therefore this term makes a lot of confusing things for users who finding some articles about Geological and landscape tourism(or true geo-tourism), Eventually,in my mind “ G-Tourism” or "Sus-Tourism"or even “good –tourism”,  is a probable better term for calling this redefinition of sustainable tourism in place of  “General(sustainable)Tourism”,because ,it’s not a brand. 

In fact , the National Geographic Society create a concept in its own image, so aforementioned redefinition of sustainable tourism, is not related to Geological and landscape tourism concepts and viewpoints. 

On the other hand, the concept of identity of a place , geographically ,emerges entirely on geopark philosophy and it seems that there is no need to any insisting on sustainability with coining confusing things and  words, because coining the word “geographically tourism” as sustainable tourism concepts seems to be  a  journalistic  action and It is not an academic investigation on a  new branch of sustainable tourism in the 21st century, such as abiotic nature sustainability investigations by experts in the world .
But the establishing of “Geo-Parks” with focus on geological heritage,  and on  cultural, historical and scenic values and the whole of environment and heritage in a restricted palce, is the applicable way to obtain sustainable development in some 'isolate fast growing islands' in the world.  

Space Tourism or Space Geo-tourism?

Space Tourism  or  Space Geo-tourism ?

Observing the earth from above, mentioned by the author (Sadry, 2009: 103) as a ‘Geotouristic Attraction’, and ‘‘Space tourism’’ is somewhat interchangeable with the extended geotourism to space and  the future of geo-tourism from space for general people  would be achievable with proper interpretation and facilities in space. Space geo-tourism would tell the story of our place in the cosmos and as a popular science for anyone curious about the earth science in a holistic manner with the view from above. From this point of view, the planet earth would be a big geosite for interpretation.

Sadry , BN(2009) Fundamentals of Geotourism: with a special emphasis on Iran, Samt Organization Publishing, Tehran, Iran( English summary available online at  : http://physio-geo.revues.org/3159?file=1)

The Five key principles of geotourism

The first three characteristics are considered to be essential for a product to be considered ‘geotourism’ while the last two characteristics are viewed as being desirable for all forms of tourism(Dowling,2011). 1.      geologically based 2.      sustainable 3.      educative 4.      locally beneficial 5.      generates tourist satisfaction

Dowling RK. (2011) Geotourism’s Global Growth, Geoheritage Journal. Vol. 3(1): 1-13.

Jask Region's Features, Iran ( Source: B.N.Sadry)

Jask region is located at eastern part of the Hormoz Strait.(in above map, red square), But the best place to visit some wonderful features like above picture , is available on Qeshm Island; exactly within Qeshm Global Geopark.

Qeshm Island is located at southern part of Iran in the Hormoz Strait, the largest island in the Persian Gulf. 

Find out more at : http://www.qeshmgeopark.org/

Geotourism Research

Geotourism research is a multidisciplinary activity encompassing the below items (Hose, 2003 Cited by Hose 2006) : 1.      Visitor Behaviour 2.      Typological Analysis 3.      Geo-interpretative Media Analysis 4.      Geosite  Analysis 5.      Geo-conservation  Studies 6.      Management  Studies

Hose, T. A. (2003). Geotourism in England: A Two-Region Case Study Analysis.Unpublished PhD thesis, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology,University of Birmingham. Hose, Thomas A.,:Geotourism and interpretation,In:Dowling R.K.&Newsome  D.(Eds):Geotourism-221-241, Oxford-Burlington(Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann)2006.

Useful Links

International Association of Geomorphologists:

Working Group on Geomorphosites : research, assessment and improvement
www.geomorph.org/wg/wggs.html

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Ideology's website:

   http://www.ideology.net.au/

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Dr. Mamoon Allan’ s useful website and weblinks:

A new webpage for international geotourism:

http://www.igeotourism.com/

The facebook page for geotourism issues which everbody can post anything related to geotourism there:

http://www.facebook.com/GeotourismGeologyTourism

Special thanks to our friend Dr. Mamoon Allan for sending  the above  links to us.

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Our colleague’s weblog: "geoturystyka", who  has linked to Global Geotourism Blog,  just in Polish:  

http://geoturystyka.blogspot.com/

And Polish Geotourism Magazine website :

http://geoturystyka.pl/pl/czasopismo

Geoturystyka magazine published since 2004 in Poland (in Polish & some in English)

With many thanks to our colleague & friend, Drs. Ewa Welc.

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Andrew Alden’s website  :  

Travel for Geologists  :

http://geology.about.com/od/geo_travel/Travel_for_Geologists.htm

Andrew Alden , our geologist colleague from the United States , is a science writer, photographer, editor and blogger with a lifelong passion for rocks, minerals, fossils...  who  has  recently linked to Global Geotourism Blog.

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To find out some interesting  pictures about  the relationship between Geology and Art , (potentially for tourism activities at secondry geosites), see the below blog:

http://geologyinart.blogspot.com/

and also :

 http://www.microckscopica.org/Galleries.html

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Dr. Antonio Licccardo’ s useful website ( you can find some online PhD thesis out

on Geotourism (- geoconservation), (just in Spanish with Eng Abstracts):

http://www.geoturismobrasil.com/
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Italian Geotourism Association

http://www.geotourism.it/

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http://www.baliedutours.com/geopark-and-geotourism.html

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Special issue - Geotourism in Acta geographica Slovenica website at:

http://ags.zrc-sazu.si/

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The Geotrends meeting:

held in Novi Sad, Serbia from 24 to 26 August 2010, organized by the Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. The Programme and Abstracts of presented lectures and posters are available at the website: http://www.dgt.uns.ac.rs/geotrends.
Many thanks to our friend Dr.Bojan Erhartič for sending this link to us
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Geotourism in En.Wiki Pedia website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotourism