Geotourism Engages Travelers in Authentic Cultural
Experiences
Tourism has undergone a dramatic
shift in recent years and many in the industry believe the
change is permanent. In the past, American tourists sought
familiarity in even the most exotic destinations. Today, the
more sophisticated consumer seeks experiences as unique as
their destinations. This industry-wide travel trend, called
"geotourism," attracts modern vacationers who are now
looking to immerse themselves in the authentic culture of a
place.
Geotourism for Sustainable Development
Jonathan Tourtellot, the director of the National Geographic
Society's Center for Sustainable Development and an American
geotourism pioneer, coined the term "geotourism" to define
responsible, authentic travel. Tourtellot
observes,"Geotourism is no flash in the pan: travelers
around the globe are seeking it out in both rural and urban
settings."
Environmental responsibility is one reason the trend is
gaining ground. Like sustainable tourism, geotourism wants
to preserve the ecological attributes of travel locations.
But unlike sustainable tourism, geotourism appeals to the
mass market. It isn't just for the altruistic few who want
to save a place; it is for anyone looking to reap all the
unique benefits a place has to offer: the cultural,
historical, archeological, architectural, and natural
elements that combine to create authentic vacations.
Before the emergence of geotourism, destinations often
sacrificed their distinctive characteristics in order to
make consumers feel at home. As a result, many vacation
destinations gave up the very things that attracted
travelers in the first place: unique customs, cuisine,
architecture, etc. Conversely, geotourism enhances a
destination's natural and cultural distinctiveness while
still providing a high-quality visitor experience.
Amble Resorts (http://www.amble.com), an environmentally
responsible real estate development company, has tapped that
very idea. Owner Benjamin Loomis remarks, "Amble was
basically founded to cater to the geotourist market segment,
which we think will grow significantly as travelers become
more and more sophisticated and demanding."
Loomis is preparing to break ground next year on an eco
resort in Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui, The Resort at Isla
Palenque (http://www.islapalenque.com). "Isla Palenque and
the surrounding islands offer all kinds of activities that
interest geotourists, from the villages of the Ngobe Bugle
to archeological sites to an astonishing diversity of
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife," says Loomis of his island
resort.
The Resort at Isla Palenque (http://www.islapalenque.com)
and other geotourism destinations are attracting vacationers with elements of
geographical character.
Geotourism has
become a popular, effective way for travelers to experience
their vacations in a deep and meaningful way -- without
detracting from the destination itself.