Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism
Coastal zones, with their significant geodiversity, are vital areas for geotourism. Effective management is crucial to harness the geological interest of these sites as geotourism resources while ensuring their conservation. Manabí Province is one of the most representative regions along the Ecuador...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Geography and Sustainability |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000470 |
| _version_ | 1827783595294457856 |
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| author | Fernando Morante-Carballo María José Domínguez-Cuesta Nataly Paz-Salas Jenifer Malavé-Hernández Jairo Dueñas-Tovar Paúl Carrión-Mero |
| author_facet | Fernando Morante-Carballo María José Domínguez-Cuesta Nataly Paz-Salas Jenifer Malavé-Hernández Jairo Dueñas-Tovar Paúl Carrión-Mero |
| author_sort | Fernando Morante-Carballo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coastal zones, with their significant geodiversity, are vital areas for geotourism. Effective management is crucial to harness the geological interest of these sites as geotourism resources while ensuring their conservation. Manabí Province is one of the most representative regions along the Ecuadorian coast due to its beaches and coastal cliffs, offering a wealth of tourist attractions and cultural elements. This study aims to evaluate the geosite potential of six cliffs in Manabí Province through quantitative and qualitative analyses to propose geotourism promotion strategies. The methodology involves (i) inventory and characterisation of the cliffs, (ii) assessment of the sites by the Spanish Inventory of Places of Geological Interest method (IELIG), and (iii) qualitative evaluation through focus group discussions and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The results reveal that all six sites boast diverse geological assets, including geomorphological, stratigraphic, sedimentological, and tectonic elements. They are characterised by “high” scientific, didactic, and tourist interest, while also being susceptible to degradation due to natural and anthropic threats. The SWOT analysis demonstrates that the valuable geological and geomorphological heritage of potential geosites provides an opportunity to foster geotourism and boost the province’s economy, incorporating geoconservation and geoeducation strategies. This study proposes a georoute called “Ruta Acantilados del Sol”, a 245 km journey encompassing all six sites, incorporating diverse tourist and cultural activities. Our research lays the foundation for fostering geotourism along the Manabí coast and strengthening the connection between nature, heritage, and the welfare of residents within a global resilience plan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:49:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c286f67ca1e4d299b77c544ec16d45a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-6839 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:49:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geography and Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c286f67ca1e4d299b77c544ec16d45a2023-10-26T04:18:27ZengElsevierGeography and Sustainability2666-68392023-12-0144356371Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourismFernando Morante-Carballo0María José Domínguez-Cuesta1Nataly Paz-Salas2Jenifer Malavé-Hernández3Jairo Dueñas-Tovar4Paúl Carrión-Mero5Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas (FCNM), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Geo-Recursos y Aplicaciones GIGA, ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Corresponding authors at: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador.Departamento de Geología, University of Oviedo, Calle Jesús Arias de Velasco, s/n, 33005 Oviedo, SpainFacultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, EcuadorCentro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, EcuadorCentro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Geo-Recursos y Aplicaciones GIGA, ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Corresponding authors at: Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador.Centro de Investigación y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra (FICT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil, EcuadorCoastal zones, with their significant geodiversity, are vital areas for geotourism. Effective management is crucial to harness the geological interest of these sites as geotourism resources while ensuring their conservation. Manabí Province is one of the most representative regions along the Ecuadorian coast due to its beaches and coastal cliffs, offering a wealth of tourist attractions and cultural elements. This study aims to evaluate the geosite potential of six cliffs in Manabí Province through quantitative and qualitative analyses to propose geotourism promotion strategies. The methodology involves (i) inventory and characterisation of the cliffs, (ii) assessment of the sites by the Spanish Inventory of Places of Geological Interest method (IELIG), and (iii) qualitative evaluation through focus group discussions and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The results reveal that all six sites boast diverse geological assets, including geomorphological, stratigraphic, sedimentological, and tectonic elements. They are characterised by “high” scientific, didactic, and tourist interest, while also being susceptible to degradation due to natural and anthropic threats. The SWOT analysis demonstrates that the valuable geological and geomorphological heritage of potential geosites provides an opportunity to foster geotourism and boost the province’s economy, incorporating geoconservation and geoeducation strategies. This study proposes a georoute called “Ruta Acantilados del Sol”, a 245 km journey encompassing all six sites, incorporating diverse tourist and cultural activities. Our research lays the foundation for fostering geotourism along the Manabí coast and strengthening the connection between nature, heritage, and the welfare of residents within a global resilience plan.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000470GeorouteGeotourismTouristic cliffCoastal geositesGeoconservationGeoeducation |
| spellingShingle | Fernando Morante-Carballo María José Domínguez-Cuesta Nataly Paz-Salas Jenifer Malavé-Hernández Jairo Dueñas-Tovar Paúl Carrión-Mero Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism Geography and Sustainability Georoute Geotourism Touristic cliff Coastal geosites Geoconservation Geoeducation |
| title | Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| title_full | Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| title_short | Evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| title_sort | evaluation of the potential of coastal cliffs as geosites for the promotion of geotourism |
| topic | Georoute Geotourism Touristic cliff Coastal geosites Geoconservation Geoeducation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666683923000470 |
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