The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites Regional Workshop for Europe 30 September – 2 October 2018, Palermo (Italy) Thematic Session 1: Tourism sustainability and visitors’ management. “The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization”

1. Introduction
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
Biography:
Javier Navarrete Mazariegos
Forestry Engineer. Civil servant.
Regional Ministry of Environment and
Land Use Planning (Andalusia, Spain)
Head of Service for Public Use in
Protected Areas. Responsible for the
network of public facilities (including
Visitor Centres). Policy making,
management guidelines, coordination,
monitoring, promotion, tenders...
Las Amoladeras Visitor Centre. Cabo de Gata‐Níjar. Andalusia (Spain)
 2,8 million hectares. Around 30% of Andalusian extension.

2. Framework - Tourism Sustainability and Visitor Management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)

3. Framework - Tourism Sustainability and Visitor Management
Functions and objectives:
1. Reception and information to visitors.
Multilingual atention: Spanish, English, French and
German, since many foreigners visit the park.
Wide opening schedule throughout the year.
Accessible to disabled people.
Strategically situated at the main entrance road.
Well signposted. Easy to find.
Heritage interpretation from an holistic approach
(biodiversity, geodiversity, ethnography, culture,
traditional uses, landscapes, local communities).

4. Framework - Tourism Sustainability and Visitor Management
Functions and objectives:
2. Promote sustainable tourism.
Wide range of ecotouristic activities.
Public facilities offer.
Local companies: accomodation, food, crafts.
Potentialities according to planning regulations.
Shop: crafts, souvenirs, merchandising,
publications, guides, brochures, maps…
Online information.

5. Activities - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
Geotourism Cycling Hiking Workshops Stargazing Birdwatching Scuba-diving Canoeing Horseriding Film tourism Gastronomy

6. The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
Workshop: “Sabre-toothed tiger:
Predators of the past”
Guided route:
“The way of the lost steps”
Environmental edutation activities.
“Nature and you” programme.
Activities - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management
Night route:
“A 5* volcano”
Free accessible activities:
“Nature for all” programme.

7. Activities - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
VISITOR MANAGEMENT
Good practices.
Management of stranded cetaceans and turtles.
Regulation of activities: canoeing, paddle surf,
anchoring of recreational boats.
Training courses.
Increase conservation awareness: We need better
rather than more visitors.

8. Lessons learned - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors
Management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
Skilled, passionate staff, specialised on geotourism.
Award winning cooperative.
Experience in running other visitor centres in
protected areas. Committed and involved in the
natural site management. Ally to conservation.
Integrated management in an overlapping
multidesignated area means strenghts,
opportunities and synergies instead of
competition, weaknesses or threats.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar was selected as a good
practice case study by IUCN.
Network of protected areas:
Together we are stronger!
Manual of environmental
facilities: standardisation.
Accessibility: Braille leaflet, sign
language translated video

9. Potential - Tourism Sustainability and Visitors Management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
 Integration of other facilities and potetialities nearby to create synergies, opportunites
and improve efficiency.
 New public tenders aiming to improve the requests and conditioins, such as longer
duration.
 Scientific tourism. Agreement with research groups and universities.
 Deseasonalisation of tourism demand. “The Geopark in winter” programme.
 Increasing the consumption within the park.
 Involving some local communities and authorities in the protected area management.
 Networking with other protected areas, geoparks, biosphere reserves…
 Revalidation of next geopark evaluation.

10. Future - Tourism Sustainability and visitors management
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
 Better coordination with Regional Ministry of Tourism to enhance the
promotion. International tourism fairs. Addressing international target groups.
 Improving energetic efficiency.
 Standardisation of visitor centres as official tourist offices.
 Diversification of the activities and services offered in the visitor centre.
 Specialised training to the staff regarding marketing, ecotourism, business
management, accessibility, new technologies…
 New website showing a friendlier and more attractive appearance.
 App Camíname. Extend to all the hiking trails in the park.
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11. Contacts
The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)The role of Visitor Centres in UNESCO Designated Sites – Regional Workshop fo Europe – 30 September – 2 October 2018 Palermo (Italy)
Javier Navarrete Mazariegos
Phone: +34 671537728
Email: javier.navarrete.m@juntadeandalucia.es
Las Amoladeras Visitor Centre:
Ctra. AL-3115, pk. 7 (tramo Retamar-Torre Marcelo) CP 04115 Níjar (Almería).
Tlf: (+34) 950 160 435 (+34) 606795056
cvlasamoladeras@reservatuvisita.es
 https://twitter.com/VentanaV
 https://www.facebook.com/ventanadelvisitante
23.000 followers.
2.000 followers
Thank you!