Geotourism There are several natural geological assets and mining assets across the regions and the opportunity to highlight them are attractive destinations for domestic and international visitors exists. From the caves of Margaret River to Wave Rock of the Wheatbelt and both active and abandoned mining sites across the state can add to a region’s overall tourism assets. Creating tourism packages, linking geotourism with astrotourism, native wildflowers, aboriginal stories, camping/glamping allow tourists to spend more time in the regions taking advantage of the bountiful natural assets. Geo-parks are an internationally accredited process through a UNESCO certification scheme. The UNESCO scheme allows sites and natural landscapes of international geological importance to be recognised and protected in partnership with their local communities. The Australian Geoscience Council recently produced a draft National Geotourism Strategy 24 to assist with the development of geo-parks across the States and Territories to deliver a standardised offering and to facilitate UNESCO accreditation. There are currently 177 UNESCO certified geoparks globally. Developing these assets in conjunction with other regional tourism assets provide more opportunities for tourists to stay in the regions longer. Geo-tourism can also harness aspects of our state’s industrial heritage. WA’s has long been among the world’s most diverse and abundant mining states, with world class heritage, minesites and compelling narratives that could be a boon regional communities and economies. A WA Geotourism Strategy that incorporates and maps these assets, prioritises the development of supporting infrastructure and sets out investment opportunities can unlock the tourism potential of many closed and operating minesites with incredible landforms and histories.
Super Pit Kalgoorie Western Australia
24 www.ausimm.com/bulletin/bulletin-articles/launch-of-australias-national-geotourism-strategy-set-to-help-raise-profile-of-geosciences/
34 | WA Investment Prospectus
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