The Geoparks initiative was established in 1998 and today there are four levels of geoparks (Aspiring, National, Regional and Global). They exist in a series of networks - National, Regional (eg. European and Asia-Pacific), and Global. Today there are hundreds of national level geoparks and over 130 Global Geoparks in 35 countries. They are on all continents except for Australia. A geopark is a clearly defined area with geological heritage of significance which fosters environmentally appropriate, socio-economic sustainable development. Geoparks use their heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we live on. Geoparks promote awareness of geological features (through conservation, information and education) and geological resources (through geotourism and sustainable development). Geoparks offer a unique vehicle to foster community-based, sustainable, regional development in Australia. An added benefit is they are allied to the powerful UNESCO global network and brand.

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Geoparks
A powerful new development vehicle for regional Australia
Professor Ross Dowling OAM
Chair, Great South West Edge
National Landscape
Spotlight 7 – Regional Tourism
and Geotourism
Thursday 27 October
Australia’s National Landscapes
A conservation and tourism partnership
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Australia’s National Landscapes Program
A partnership between tourism and conservation that:
• Promotes world class, high quality visitor experiences
• Increases the value of tourism to regional economies
• Enhances the role of protected areas in those economies
• Builds support for protecting our natural and cultural
assets
A long term
strategic approach
To differentiate Australia’s
iconic natural and cultural
destinations from anything
else available in the world 4
Australia’s National Landscapes
5
1. Australia’s National Landscape Program is
no longer supported by the Australian Govt
2. It never gained traction because it was a ‘top-
down’ program
3. In addition, no one outside of Australia knew
what a National Landscape was
4. At the same time we were establishing NLs
the rest of the world was setting up Geoparks
5. Australia is now ready for Geoparks
National Landscapes & Geoparks
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Founded in 1945 - 193 member states
UNESCO
Man and the Biosphere
World Heritage
UNESCO Global Geoparks

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UNESCO Programs
Program Sites Countries
World Heritage 1052 165
Man and the
Biosphere
669 120
UNESCO Global
Geoparks
120 33
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Australia’s UNESCO Sites
Program Sites
World Heritage 22
Man and the Biosphere 14
UNESCO Global Geoparks 0
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Geoparks
• A Geopark is an area with a geological
heritage of significance, with a coherent and
strong management structure and where a
sustainable economic development strategy is
in place
• They are either national or global
• There are 120 global geoparks in 33 countries
on five continents
• Europe - 69 North America - 2
• Asia - 46 [China has 33] South America - 2
• Africa - 1 Australia - 0
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Global Geoparks
12
European Geoparks

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China’s Global Geoparks
33
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Are Geoparks only about Geology?
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1. Geopark are not the same as
National Parks
2. Instead they are vehicles for
fostering community-based,
sustainable, regional economic
development
Geoparks vs National Parks
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UNESCO Global Geoparks
are single, unified
geographical areas where
sites and landscapes of
international geological
significance are managed
with a holistic concept of
protection, education and
sustainable development
UNESCO Global Geoparks
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Geoparks
Geoparks are both a
development concept
as well as a branding
tool. They achieve
these goals through:
1. Conservation
2. Education
3. Geotourism
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Geoparks
Geoparks are sites of significant
geological heritage with:
1. Geo-conservation activities
2. Sustainable tourism activities
3. Educational activities
4. Community involvement
5. Strong management structures
6. A secure financial basis

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27 28
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Levels of Geoparks
No Level Appellation
1 Local Aspiring
2 National National
3 Regional eg. European
4 Global Global
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The Geoparks Brand
• In China in the first decade there were over 1.1
billion visitors to geoparks (over 100 million
visitors per annum)
• Entry fees were RMB 7 Billion ($1.5B)
• The geoparks generated 75 000 permanent full
time jobs and 470 000 part time jobs
• In the United Kingdom the contribution of
seven geoparks is £18.84m ($37m)

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• The total income brought about by tourism is
RMB 2291 million (AUD$470 million)
• This accounts for 32% of the local GDP
• The number of jobs generated by the geopark is
25 300
• The geopark has lifted the county out of poverty
to become relatively well off
Yuntaishan Geopark, China
Economic Benefits
32
Maybe Australia’s GSWE Geopark?
33
The Great South West Edge Attractions
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• International ready experiences from Bunbury to Esperance
• Promoted by Tourism Australia, RTO’s, Tourism WA
• Development of packages targeted at international visitors
• Education of operators on meeting market expectations
The Great South West Edge Touring Route
35 36

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GSWE National Landscape
• The Longest National Landscape in Australia
• Australia’s GSWE Geopark would need to be more compact
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Australia’s GSWE Geopark?
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The Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock
Porongurup National Park
Photo: Andrew Halsall, DPAW
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The Gap, Albany
Photo: Peter Nicholas, DPAW 42
1. Geoparks are the new National Landscapes
2. They have a well established global network
3. Chinese and European visitors know geoparks
4. Geoparks foster community-based, sustainable,
regional, economic development
5. Australia needs geoparks – they are the only
continent without them
Conclusions

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The Boom in Chinese Tourism
Uluru
Kakadu
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Geoparks
A powerful new development vehicle for regional Australia
THE END
Professor Ross Dowling OAM
Edith Cowan University
r.dowling@ecu.edu.au