Our webinar
Title: Geoparks and Geotourism in China: a Sustainable Approach to Geoheritage Conservation and Local Development
Time: April 01, 2022, 6:00-7:00 pm (Vancouver time) /April 02, 2022, 9:00-10:00 am (GMT+8)
Watch on YouTube
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kejian (Coco) Xu
Dr. Xu has been teaching and conducting research in the fields of geotourism and geoparks since 2002. She had done research in the University of Manitoba of Canada as a visiting scholar from September 2010 to September 2011. She has broad interests in developing practical applications of geotourism, interpretation and education for geoparks. She has worked and cooperated for more than 40 geoparks in China, South Korea, Spain, Canada, UK, Myanmar, Mexico, etc.
She is a coordinator of Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark, China and a consultant of Sanqingshan UNESCO Global Geopark, China and Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark, China. Her books about the geoparks were awarded as “Excellent Science Popularization Books” by the Ministry of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China in 2016, 2017, and by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China in 2018.
Abstract
Geoparks, as an innovation for the conservation of geological heritage, play an important role in the development of geotourism. While developing geotourism, the establishment of geoparks can generate new job opportunities, new economic activities and additional sources of income, especially in developing countries. China, with its vast territory and complex geological, geomorphic features has received the designation of UNESCO Global Geopark for 41 areas of significant geological importance and heritage. This talk reviews the geoparks initiative in China, the types and distribution of Chinese geosites and geoparks, as well as geotourism and local development. A geopark is a sustainable approach to advancing geoconservation and promoting local economic development. Implications for geopark management and geotourism development are discussed.
