Sustainable geotourism using digital technologies along a rural georoute in Monsagro(Salamanca,Spain)

Rural geotourism looks at the natural resources of the territory as a means of promoting a specialized,educational,sustainable tourism.This is an increasingly sought-after activity.This paper presents a rural georoute across a high mountain village,highlighting the remarkable value of the geological heritage of biological trace fossils and physical sedimentary structures exposed on street pavements and façades of houses.A series of tourist georesources were created and implemented:educational and interpretive panels,videos,QR codes,geoapps and games,all of which promote and disseminate the exceptional geological content and the history of the earth through the use of new technologies(smartphones,ipod,etc.).All this is intended as a means to make geotourism a natural tourism,favoring experiences,whilst explaining the natural environment and its temporal and spatial dimensions,offering opportunities for socio-economic development and job creation in rural areas with problems of depopulation.

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. ManabíProvince 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 ManabíProvince 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 sus- ceptible 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 Manabícoast and strengthening the connection between nature, heritage, and the welfare of residents within a global resilience plan.