Potential Geotourism and the Prospect of Raising Awareness About Geoheritage and Environment on Mauritius

摘要

The Mauritian tourism industry is interested in growing new markets and continues to strive for new product development. Existing geological attractions in Mauritius include the Seven-Coloured Earth of Chamarel and the Black River Gorges National Park, but there is much scope for showcasing the educational value of these attractions and further highlighting the geodiversity of Mauritius. In order to maintain quality and further develop geological attractions in Mauritius, such as volcanic craters, lava tubes, mountain landscapes and waterfalls, tourismplans need to be preceded by an analysis of existing infrastructure in relation to its utility and integrity, and explore the scope for on-site improvements in helping to foster geoconservation, visitor awareness and tourismsatisfaction. The preparation of a geotourismdevelopment and conservation plan is essential to this process. As education and interpretation are fundamental components of geotourism, the way in which geo-information is to be delivered also needs to be specified in the plan.