Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador
Santa Elena Peninsula is characterized by beautiful geological features, historical geoscientific knowledge, and mineral and tourism resources that could all be combined for the sake of community development. This article provides an overview of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project through the...
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doaj-e4c008c4319d40c7bfd033e22bb149be2020-11-25T03:30:29ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502020-06-01124484448410.3390/su12114484Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in EcuadorGricelda Herrera-Franco0Paúl Carrión-Mero1Niurka Alvarado2Fernando Morante-Carballo3Alfonso Maldonado4Pablo Caldevilla5Josué Briones-Bitar6Edgar Berrezueta7Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena (UPSE), Avda. principal La Libertad-Santa Elena, 240204 La Libertad, EcuadorFacultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, EcuadorJunta Administradora de Agua Potable de Manglaralto (JAAPMAN), 241754 Manglaralto, EcuadorCentro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, EcuadorDepartamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Calle de Alenza, 4, 28031 Madrid, SpainEscuela Superior y Técnica de Ingenieros de Minas, Universidad de León (ULE), Campus de Vegazana, s/n, 24071 León, SpainCentro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, EcuadorInstituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), C/Matemático Pedrayes 25, 33005 Oviedo, SpainSanta Elena Peninsula is characterized by beautiful geological features, historical geoscientific knowledge, and mineral and tourism resources that could all be combined for the sake of community development. This article provides an overview of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project through the assessment of six areas that are considered by inhabitants and researchers possible geosites to foster geotourism. The methodology included: (i) a technical description and assessment of the areas of interest evaluating their geological relevance, representativeness, geotouristic prominence, geotouristic scientific interpretation, and conservation criteria; (ii) an assessment through questionnaires carried out on inhabitants; and (iii) a SWOT Plus analysis to propose strategies for promoting geotourism. Results show that the areas of interest are highly valued as geosites, since they integrate geodiversity, biodiversity, and sociocultural aspects. For example, Ancon is a historical icon of early oil exploitation, Baños de San Vicente is a natural spring of thermal water and mud volcano, and Anconcito has bituminous exudations of natural occurrence together with a spectacular landscape produced by erosion. Overall, 90% of these sites were proved to be of high and very high interest in scientific terms. Geotourism is believed to be beneficial for the inhabitants of the Santa Elena Peninsula with respect to education, valorization of resources, and the strengthening of cultural identity of communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4484Santa Elena Peninsulageopark projectgeotourismgeoresourcesSWOT analysis |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Gricelda Herrera-Franco Paúl Carrión-Mero Niurka Alvarado Fernando Morante-Carballo Alfonso Maldonado Pablo Caldevilla Josué Briones-Bitar Edgar Berrezueta |
spellingShingle |
Gricelda Herrera-Franco Paúl Carrión-Mero Niurka Alvarado Fernando Morante-Carballo Alfonso Maldonado Pablo Caldevilla Josué Briones-Bitar Edgar Berrezueta Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador Sustainability Santa Elena Peninsula geopark project geotourism georesources SWOT analysis |
author_facet |
Gricelda Herrera-Franco Paúl Carrión-Mero Niurka Alvarado Fernando Morante-Carballo Alfonso Maldonado Pablo Caldevilla Josué Briones-Bitar Edgar Berrezueta |
author_sort |
Gricelda Herrera-Franco |
title |
Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador |
title_short |
Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador |
title_full |
Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador |
title_fullStr |
Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador |
title_full_unstemmed |
Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador |
title_sort |
geosites and georesources to foster geotourism in communities: case study of the santa elena peninsula geopark project in ecuador |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2020-06-01 |
description |
Santa Elena Peninsula is characterized by beautiful geological features, historical geoscientific knowledge, and mineral and tourism resources that could all be combined for the sake of community development. This article provides an overview of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project through the assessment of six areas that are considered by inhabitants and researchers possible geosites to foster geotourism. The methodology included: (i) a technical description and assessment of the areas of interest evaluating their geological relevance, representativeness, geotouristic prominence, geotouristic scientific interpretation, and conservation criteria; (ii) an assessment through questionnaires carried out on inhabitants; and (iii) a SWOT Plus analysis to propose strategies for promoting geotourism. Results show that the areas of interest are highly valued as geosites, since they integrate geodiversity, biodiversity, and sociocultural aspects. For example, Ancon is a historical icon of early oil exploitation, Baños de San Vicente is a natural spring of thermal water and mud volcano, and Anconcito has bituminous exudations of natural occurrence together with a spectacular landscape produced by erosion. Overall, 90% of these sites were proved to be of high and very high interest in scientific terms. Geotourism is believed to be beneficial for the inhabitants of the Santa Elena Peninsula with respect to education, valorization of resources, and the strengthening of cultural identity of communities. |
topic |
Santa Elena Peninsula geopark project geotourism georesources SWOT analysis |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4484 |
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