THE ROLE OF GEOPARKS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY APPROACH

This study aims to explore the role of geoheritage in sustainable tourism development by integrating geosites into tourism planning and analyzing their impact on local economies, environmental conservation, and community well-being, and visitor relaxation. The study also examines how the principles of a circular society, which emphasize resource regeneration and human well-being, can be applied to enhance the sustainability and appeal of geoheritage-based tourism. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Case studies from Azores Geopark, Jeju Island Geopark, and Marble Arch Caves Geopark were selected to evaluate the socio-economic and environmental impacts of geoheritage-based tourism. The results indicate that geoheritage-based tourism significantly contributes to economic growth and environmental conservation, particularly when supported by strong community involvement and infrastructure development. Statistical analyses revealed positive correlations between visitor numbers and economic benefits, as well as between community engagement and conservation outcomes. Additionally, the promotion of relaxation at geosites was found to reinforce both environmental stewardship and visitor satisfaction, aligning with circular society principles by creating a regenerative tourism model. Geoheritage-based tourism promotes sustainable development by balancing economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The findings suggest that successful tourism management requires careful planning, infrastructure investment, and active community participation. This study did not include a comparative analysis of areas that are underutilized in terms of both geoheritage and geosites with tourism potential, primarily due to limited resources and time constraints. Incorporating such a comparison would offer valuable insights into the key conditions required for the successful development of geoheritage-based tourism. It is anticipated that future research will address these limitations by broadening the scope of case studies to include a more diverse range of geographical contexts. Moreover, future studies should seek to integrate qualitative approaches alongside quantitative approaches in order to better understand the wider social and cultural role and impacts of geoheritage-based tourism, which can thus be an important tourism product worldwide.