Geoturystyka – nowe możliwości wykorzystania dziedzictwa Ziemi w turystyce. Studium przypadku Krainy Wygasłych Wulkanów w Sudetach Zachodnich

Abstract

The growing interest in the opportunities provided by Earth heritage to foster tourism development makes one to wonder whether geotourism is a new form of tourism or merely a new term to describe activities undertaken since long ago, connected with visits to geologically interesting sites. The case study of ‘Land of Extinct Volcanoes’ in the West Sudetes, which is an area that builds its tourist product and creates its mark upon local geoheritage, supports the view that geotourism is a new form of tourism. This is because geoeducation and expanded interpretation of sites of geoscientific interest have been emphasized only recently. Likewise, provision of necessary educational facilities is a new trend. The onset of geotourism in the region dates back to the 1990s, but its rapid development only typifies the last decade and is mainly related to bottom-up activities initiated by local leaders.