IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i11p4484-d365860.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Gricelda Herrera-Franco

    (Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena (UPSE), Avda. principal La Libertad-Santa Elena, 240204 La Libertad, Ecuador)

  • Paúl Carrión-Mero

    (Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 via Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, Ecuador
    Centro 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, Ecuador)

  • Niurka Alvarado

    (Junta Administradora de Agua Potable de Manglaralto (JAAPMAN), 241754 Manglaralto, Ecuador)

  • Fernando Morante-Carballo

    (Centro 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, Ecuador
    Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas (FCNM), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, Ecuador
    Geo-Recursos y Aplicaciones GIGA, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, Ecuador)

  • Alfonso Maldonado

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Calle de Alenza, 4, 28031 Madrid, Spain)

  • Pablo Caldevilla

    (Escuela Superior y Técnica de Ingenieros de Minas, Universidad de León (ULE), Campus de Vegazana, s/n, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Josué Briones-Bitar

    (Centro 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, Ecuador)

  • Edgar Berrezueta

    (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), C/Matemático Pedrayes 25, 33005 Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Paúl Carrión-Mero & Niurka Alvarado & Fernando Morante-Carballo & Alfonso Maldonado & Pablo Caldevilla & Josué Briones-Bitar & Edgar Berrezueta, 2020. "Geosites and Georesources to Foster Geotourism in Communities: Case Study of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4484-:d:365860
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4484/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4484/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandre Oliveira Tavares & Maria Helena Henriques & Artur Domingos & Abel Bala, 2015. "Community Involvement in Geoconservation: A Conceptual Approach Based on the Geoheritage of South Angola," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-26, April.
    2. Ľubomír Štrba & Branislav Kršák & Csaba Sidor, 2018. "Some Comments to Geosite Assessment, Visitors, and Geotourism Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-8, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Paúl Carrión-Mero & Alicia Ayala-Granda & Sthefano Serrano-Ayala & Fernando Morante-Carballo & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Miguel Gurumendi-Noriega & Nataly Paz-Salas & Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Edgar B, 2020. "Assessment of Geomorphosites for Geotourism in the Northern Part of the “Ruta Escondida” (Quito, Ecuador)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Paúl Carrión-Mero & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Fernando Morante-Carballo & María Jaya-Montalvo & M.C. Morillo-Balsera, 2020. "Groundwater Resilience Assessment in a Communal Coastal Aquifer System. The Case of Manglaralto in Santa Elena, Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-27, October.
    3. Marko D. Petrović & Dobrila Lukić & Milan M. Radovanović & Ivana Blešić & Tamara Gajić & Dunja Demirović Bajrami & Julia A. Syromiatnikova & Đurđa Miljković & Sanja Kovačić & Marija Kostić, 2023. "How Can Tufa Deposits Contribute to the Geotourism Offer? The Outcomes from the First UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Geanella Herrera-Narváez & Nelson Jiménez-Orellana & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2020. "Puyango, Ecuador Petrified Forest, a Geological Heritage of the Cretaceous Albian-Middle, and Its Relevance for the Sustainable Development of Geotourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-24, August.
    5. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Carlos Mora-Frank & Lady Bravo-Montero, 2021. "Scientific Research in Ecuador: A Bibliometric Analysis," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-34, December.
    6. Marián Lukáč & Ľubomír Štrba & Alexander Černega & Samer Khouri, 2021. "Recent State Policy and Its Impact on Geopark Establishment and Operation in Slovakia," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Mengdi Wang & Kaixuan Tan & Yongmei Li & Yanshi Xie & Wenzhou Xiao & Yang Xu & Yunting Tian, 2022. "Study on the Sustainable Development of Popular Science Tourism Based on the SWOT Analysis for the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Mária Barančoková & Daniela Hutárová & Maroš Nikolaj, 2023. "Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity for Conservation Purposes in Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovakia)," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-28, August.
    9. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & F. Javier Montalván & Andrés Velastegui-Montoya & Jhon Caicedo-Potosí, 2022. "Vulnerability in a Populated Coastal Zone and Its Influence by Oil Wells in Santa Elena, Ecuador," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Paúl Carrión-Mero & María Jaya-Montalvo & Miguel Gurumendi-Noriega, 2021. "Worldwide Research on Geoparks through Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
    11. Paúl Carrión-Mero & Magner Turner-Carrión & Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Gianella Bravo-Murillo & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Nataly Paz-Salas & Edgar Berrezueta, 2022. "Geotouristic Route Proposal for Touristic Development in a Mining Area—Case Study," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, February.
    12. Yiting Zhu & Xueru Pang & Chunshan Zhou & Xiong He, 2022. "Coupling Coordination Degree between the Socioeconomic and Eco-Environmental Benefits of Koktokay Global Geopark in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-25, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Canan Cengiz & Şükran Şahin & Bülent Cengiz & Mükerrem Bahar Başkır & Pelin Keçecioğlu Dağlı, 2021. "Evaluation of the Visitor Understanding of Coastal Geotourism and Geoheritage Potential Based on Sustainable Regional Development in Western Black Sea Region, Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    2. Lucie Kubalíková, 2019. "Assessing Geotourism Resources on a Local Level: A Case Study from Southern Moravia (Czech Republic)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-18, August.
    3. John E. Gordon, 2023. "Climate Change and Geotourism: Impacts, Challenges, and Opportunities," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Emil Drápela, 2022. "Assessing the Educational Potential of Geosites: Introducing a Method Using Inquiry-Based Learning," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Michele Sisto & Antonio Di Lisio & Filippo Russo, 2022. "Geosite Assessment as a Tool for the Promotion and Conservation of Irpinia Landscape Geoheritage (Southern Italy)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, October.
    6. Paúl Carrión-Mero & Alicia Ayala-Granda & Sthefano Serrano-Ayala & Fernando Morante-Carballo & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Miguel Gurumendi-Noriega & Nataly Paz-Salas & Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Edgar B, 2020. "Assessment of Geomorphosites for Geotourism in the Northern Part of the “Ruta Escondida” (Quito, Ecuador)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Sallam, Emad S. & Ruban, Dmitry A. & Ermolaev, Vladimir A., 2022. "Geoheritage resources and new direction of infrastructural growth in Egypt: From geosite assessment to policy development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Anna V. Mikhailenko & Svetlana O. Zorina & Natalia N. Yashalova & Dmitry A. Ruban, 2023. "Promoting Geosites on Web-Pages: An Assessment of the Quality and Quantity of Information in Real Cases," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    9. Antonio Martínez-Graña & José Ángel González-Delgado & Celia Ramos & Juan Carlos Gonzalo, 2018. "Augmented Reality and Valorizing the Mesozoic Geological Heritage (Burgos, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    10. Antonio Miguel Martínez-Graña & José Luis Goy & José Ángel González-Delgado & Raquel Cruz & Juana Sanz & Carmen Cimarra & Irene De Bustamante, 2018. "3D Virtual Itinerary in the Geological Heritage from Natural Areas in Salamanca-Ávila-Cáceres, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.
    11. Ľubomír Štrba & Andrea Vravcová & Michaela Podoláková & Lenka Varcholová & Branislav Kršák, 2023. "Linking Geoheritage or Geosite Assessment Results with Geotourism Potential and Development: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    12. Henriques, M.H. & Castro, A.R.S.F. & Félix, Y.R. & Carvalho, I.S., 2020. "Promoting sustainability in a low density territory through geoheritage: Casa da Pedra case-study (Araripe Geopark, NE Brazil)," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    13. Ľubomír Štrba & Jana Kolačkovská & Dušan Kudelas & Branislav Kršák & Csaba Sidor, 2020. "Geoheritage and Geotourism Contribution to Tourism Development in Protected Areas of Slovakia—Theoretical Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, April.
    14. Anna Chrobak-Žuffová, 2023. "Comparison of Expert Assessment of Geosites with Tourist Preferences, Case Study: Sub-Tatra Region (Southern Poland, Northern Slovakia)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-28, February.
    15. Viorica Milu, 2021. "Preliminary Assessment of the Geological and Mining Heritage of the Golden Quadrilateral (Metaliferi Mountains, Romania) as a Potential Geotourism Destination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-29, September.
    16. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Geanella Herrera-Narváez & Nelson Jiménez-Orellana & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2020. "Puyango, Ecuador Petrified Forest, a Geological Heritage of the Cretaceous Albian-Middle, and Its Relevance for the Sustainable Development of Geotourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-24, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4484-:d:365860. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.