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

Gricelda Herrera-Franco, Paúl Carrión-Mero, Niurka Alvarado, Fernando Morante-Carballo, Alfonso Maldonado, Pablo Caldevilla, Josué Briones-Bitar and Edgar Berrezueta
Additional contact information
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
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
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

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-24

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.

Keywords: Santa Elena Peninsula; geopark project; geotourism; georesources; SWOT analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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