Digital Tools to Serve Geotourism and Sustainable Development at Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark in COVID Times and Beyond

Charalampos Fassoulas,Spiridon Staridas,Emmanouel Nikolakakis

doi:10.3390/geosciences12020078

Abstract

Digital tools that aid geolocation, geointerpretation and geomodelling are increasingly used in the promotion of geoheritage and geoconservation. UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) are complex regions that require a variety of approaches to advance geoconservation and public awareness, holistic heritage management and sustainable development. UGGps need more diversified and applied digital tools to address these subjects. Additional efforts are made through their commitment to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the changing and challenging world of the COVID-19 pandemic and the exacerbation of climate change. In this study, we present three new digital applications developed for the Psiloritis UGGp in Southern Greece. These digital tools were developed under the implementation of the “Enhancement Plan” of the geopark via the RURITAGE, a project that supports rural regeneration through conservation, with a focus on local heritage. Digital tools developed in the project include an interactive digital map that demonstrates all properties of local heritage, products and services, two story maps focusing on historic churches and monasteries of the Amari district and on the natural and cultural values of Nida plateau, and a business-listing map with the affiliated geopark enterprises. These digital tools combine multiple applications and methods such as Wordpress webpages, web maps, spherical panoramas, multimedia, site interpretation, geolocation and virtual reality to aid the interpretation of natural and cultural heritage, promote important sites, demonstrate overlaps between nature and human society and support local productivity. Digital tools offer online access to interested parties in any area and are also used for in situ information sites. They are user-friendly, device-adjusted and available for sharing on social media and webpages. The applicability and effectiveness of these digital tools are proven to advance geotourism and the SDGs, in line with the provisions of the “World After roadmap” of UGGps. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the “visibility” of the Psiloritis UGGp was doubled via the use of these digital tools, as they have become popular among the general public.

Highlights

Living in challenging times, i.e., in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, requires flexibility, innovation and adaptation, for our physical well-being, but for the continuation of our activities, services and products
Among those seriously affected by the effects of the pandemic on tourism are the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps), which depend on geotourism for their sustainable development [2]
During 2021, when Psiloritis geopark celebrated its 20th anniversary, a new campaign was launched on the social media (Facebook and Instagram) using posters and images produced under the RURITAGE project to highlight and emphasize the natural and cultural wealth of Psiloritis

Summary

Introduction

I.e., in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, requires flexibility, innovation and adaptation, for our physical well-being, but for the continuation of our activities, services and products. Global traveling was banned by 90% of all countries, resulting in a 70–80% decrease in flights and overnight stays, reducing tourism-related income [1]. Among those seriously affected by the effects of the pandemic on tourism are the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps), which depend on geotourism for their sustainable development [2]. The essential connection between geoparks, their stakeholders and their visitors was threatened. To mitigate this problem, geoparks initiated the development of digital initiatives and services to communicate with their inhabitants, promote their territory and support local products and producers [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion