Networks as an innovative approach in geoparks and geotourism

Abstract

Geoparks as an innovation for the protection of natural and geological heritage play an important role in the development of geotourism and knowledge exchange. The European Geopark Network (EGN) and the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN) have introduced geotourism as a target for geopark creation, and they introduced the network concept to geotourism activities.Geoparks through network activities can encourage the small and medium-sized enterprises and local producers in geotourism. This paper aims at analysing network activity between geoparks and evaluating the connectivity rate of the Global Geoparks Network and the European Geoparks Network. To this end, nineteen geopark strategies were analysed (13 in Europe and 5 in Asia – China, Malaysia, Japan, and Iran- and 1 in Australia). It was concluded that UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and European Geoparks Network have concentrated their network activity on the area of meeting, conference, and exchange of knowledge. Moreover, authorities of geoparks attempt for development of tourism marketing in their territory