The “Gutâi-Maramureș” UNESCO Geopark Project Development and Heritage Values-Based Sustainable Tourism in the Gutâi Volcanic Zone, East Carpathians (Romania)

Marinel Kovacs, Alexandru Szakács (), Alexandru Andrășanu and Ioan Denuț
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Marinel Kovacs: North University Centre of Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 430083 Baia Mare, Romania
Alexandru Szakács: Institute of Geodynamics, Romanian Academy, 020032 Bucharest, Romania
Alexandru Andrășanu: Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
Ioan Denuț: North University Centre of Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 430083 Baia Mare, Romania

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-32

Abstract: The “Gutâi-Maramureș” UNESCO Global Geopark project is to be realized in the Gutâi Volcanic Zone in the northwestern part of the East Carpathians (Romania), an area with long-lasting and complex Miocene volcanic activity and a centuries-long mining history. In order to identify the volcanism and mining-related patrimonial values, in combination with other natural and cultural assets able to support the establishment of a UNESCO geopark, and to develop a sustainable tourism in the area, this paper presents the main objectives of the adopted research methodology, namely to realize (1) a geological synthesis of the area, (2) an inventory and assessment of geological and mining heritage sites, (3) a synthesis of local biodiversity, and (4) documentation of the cultural, historical and archaeological values. Furthermore, we conducted a SWOT analysis to help define the optimal territory for the geopark, to establish the core values for a strong brand identity, and to develop educational and sustainable tourism activities. This paper presents all the significant heritage values located within the future geopark area: geosites of international scientific significance, sites related to centuries-long mining of precious metals, natural protected areas, including European Natura 2000 sites, important cultural heritage sites such as old wooden churches (five of them included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) and museums. The promotion of sustainable tourism in the area by harnessing all these patrimonial values could be realized by the implementation of the geoeducation and geotourism concepts during the project development based on previous experiences/activities in the area involving local people, NGOs and institutions.

Keywords: geopark; volcanic zone; geoheritage; mining heritage; sustainable tourism; East Carpathians (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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