5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
[MIS02-P06] A Tentative Study about Geo-tourism, Take Taining Global Geopark in Southeast China for Example
Keywords:Geopark, Geological Relics, Geo-tourism, Protection
Geopark is a unique natural area with various functions such as for tourism, entertainment and education. The bulk of a geopark is geological relics full of scientific, natural and aesthetic values, and integrated with other natural scenery and cultural landscape (Xu, 2010). Like many other countries around the world, Japan has abundant geological resources and good practice on the construction of geoparks as well as the protection of geological relics. By learning from each other’s experience, the progress of geo-tourism will be facilitated rapidly. Through investigation about Fujian Taining Global Geopark, we are working on a harmonious way of protecting relics and exploring tourism.
Since the needs of outdoor tours rasing tremendously, geoparks now serve as the best recreation sites for urban people (Li, 2005). As a new choice of tourists, geoparks boost local economy and promote geoscience popularization. The development of tourism brings in varying supports including policies, money and technologies. A part of economic income produced by the geological relics could be set aside for the preservation of it, which reaches a dynamic virtuous cycle of “Preservation-exploitation-development- preservation” (Zhao, 2003). Taking Fujian Taining Global Geopark for example, if the area of some independent parks is not big enough, the preservation of geological relics will be interfered. Therefore, the design, development and management of the geopark should be integrated during the construction in order to protect the geological relics.
Although owning to a rich geological landscape, Fujian Taining Global Geopark still lacks cultural landscapes and recreational facilities. Thus, the focus of planning should not only be put on geological relics, but also on natural and cultural landscapes. On the other hand, it will be beneficial for the protection of geological relics to construct more scenery spots which can divert tour flow.
Meanwhile, since a geopark is not a normal park, the contents of its public signs or interpretations are different from those in general tourist publics signs, and thus contain a lot of geo-scientific knowledge (Zhang, 2015), so that the content is expected to explain profound theories in simple language. If the English versions are necessary, the translation needs to be done by professional translators who are both skilled in language of English and knowledge of geoscience.
With the concept of environment protection and sustainable development becoming increasingly popular, geo-tourism will boom in the foreseeable future. However, the tourist exploitation based on preservation involves multifarious fields. More discussions from researchers of geosciences from China and Japan deserve attention to protect geoparks during the exploitation.
Acknowledgements
Financial support is provided by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (2652015017), National Natural Science Foundation of China (41302023), and China Scholarship Council (201406405017)
References
LI J.F., FANG S.M. 2005. The preservation and exploitation of geological relics. International academic development. (1) 24-27. (in Chinese)
XU T., TIAN M.Z. 2010. The progress of China's national geological park tourism system research. Tourism Tribune. 25(11) 84-92. (in Chinese)
ZHAO X., ZHAO T. 2003. The process from the geoheritage conservation to the construction of world geoparks. Geological Review. (4) 389-399. (in Chinese)
ZHANG Y.Y., SUN W.W. 2015. Geopark Protection versus the Protection of Geological Relics-Take Yangtze River Three Gorges National Geopark for Example. 40th INHIGEO SYMPOSIUM 65-66.
Since the needs of outdoor tours rasing tremendously, geoparks now serve as the best recreation sites for urban people (Li, 2005). As a new choice of tourists, geoparks boost local economy and promote geoscience popularization. The development of tourism brings in varying supports including policies, money and technologies. A part of economic income produced by the geological relics could be set aside for the preservation of it, which reaches a dynamic virtuous cycle of “Preservation-exploitation-development- preservation” (Zhao, 2003). Taking Fujian Taining Global Geopark for example, if the area of some independent parks is not big enough, the preservation of geological relics will be interfered. Therefore, the design, development and management of the geopark should be integrated during the construction in order to protect the geological relics.
Although owning to a rich geological landscape, Fujian Taining Global Geopark still lacks cultural landscapes and recreational facilities. Thus, the focus of planning should not only be put on geological relics, but also on natural and cultural landscapes. On the other hand, it will be beneficial for the protection of geological relics to construct more scenery spots which can divert tour flow.
Meanwhile, since a geopark is not a normal park, the contents of its public signs or interpretations are different from those in general tourist publics signs, and thus contain a lot of geo-scientific knowledge (Zhang, 2015), so that the content is expected to explain profound theories in simple language. If the English versions are necessary, the translation needs to be done by professional translators who are both skilled in language of English and knowledge of geoscience.
With the concept of environment protection and sustainable development becoming increasingly popular, geo-tourism will boom in the foreseeable future. However, the tourist exploitation based on preservation involves multifarious fields. More discussions from researchers of geosciences from China and Japan deserve attention to protect geoparks during the exploitation.
Acknowledgements
Financial support is provided by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (2652015017), National Natural Science Foundation of China (41302023), and China Scholarship Council (201406405017)
References
LI J.F., FANG S.M. 2005. The preservation and exploitation of geological relics. International academic development. (1) 24-27. (in Chinese)
XU T., TIAN M.Z. 2010. The progress of China's national geological park tourism system research. Tourism Tribune. 25(11) 84-92. (in Chinese)
ZHAO X., ZHAO T. 2003. The process from the geoheritage conservation to the construction of world geoparks. Geological Review. (4) 389-399. (in Chinese)
ZHANG Y.Y., SUN W.W. 2015. Geopark Protection versus the Protection of Geological Relics-Take Yangtze River Three Gorges National Geopark for Example. 40th INHIGEO SYMPOSIUM 65-66.