European Geoparks as a tool for Geotourism development in Europe.

Geological heritage comprises an important part of the natural heritage and is an essential component of the living environment. The INTERREG IIC project aims to the appropriate management of environmentally sensitive areas with high geological value like mountainous and rural areas.

Geoparks may play an active role in the economic development of their territories through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of Geo-tourism.

Enhancement and promotion of these Geoparks will play a crucial role to developing sustained tourism. Geo-tourism is considered as a form of cultural-environmental tourism that can be applied in territories with rich geological heritage. Trans-national cooperation, exchange of knowledge and share of good practice could contribute to achieve this goal and will be attempted through the cooperation of Geoparks in E.U. countries.

On the other hand, the identification of a homogeneous and with high quality standards proposal of tourist offer in the region of the project partners and the promotion of this proposal on the international tourist market will lead to the development of geo-tourism in rural areas of E.U., helping them sustain development, and will offer a direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants’ living conditions and environment.

The main effect of the project will be the identification of a homogeneous and with high quality standards proposal of touristic offer in the region of the project partners and the promotion of this proposal on the international tourist market. This proposal will lead to the development of geo-tourism in rural areas of E.U., helping them sustain development, and will offer a direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants’ living conditions and environment.