Geotourism

AUSTRALIAN GEOTOURISM DISCOVERY PORTAL

Geotourism is an increasingly popular trend within the Australian tourism industry, as more individuals seek out distinctive and authentic travel experiences that allow them to explore a destination's natural and cultural heritage. These experiences not only offer travellers a unique adventure but also effectively communicate the significance of geoscience to the wider Australian community.

To support and enhance the delivery and interpretation of high-quality natural and cultural heritage content, with a focus on geology and landscape, the National Geotourism Strategy (NGS) was established in 2021. As a result, there is a growing need for a technology platform that can provide an up-to-date inventory of Australian geotrails, geosites, mining areas, and cultural sites.

A digital platform prototype has been developed, known as the Australian Geotourism Discovery Portal. This platform serves as an information hub for various user personas, enabling them to discover and explore a wide range of attractions and destinations across Australia. The platform boasts a user-friendly interface and easy navigation. Users can explore the platform by state or GeoRegion, and each geosite, geotrail, mining site, or cultural site, is accompanied by detailed descriptions, photos, and available amenities. This allows travellers to gain a sense of what to expect before their visit. The platform is accessible through desktop and mobile browsers, ensuring that travellers can plan their trips conveniently while on the go. Furthermore, the platform can potentially integrate with other travel tools, such as booking and transportation services, to offer a seamless travel experience.

The prototype of the Australian Geotourism Discovery Portal is set to be launched in Q3 2023. During this phase, the platform will be made available to potential partner organisations and NGS stakeholders. Moving forward, the next steps involve aggregating data from diverse sources, including geological surveys, partner organisations, and public spatial repositories. This process poses a significant challenge and necessitates cooperation and support from multiple stakeholders. Subsequently, in Q4 2023, an evaluation will be conducted to assess the prototype's suitability and effectiveness. A public release of the platform is scheduled for late 2023 or early 2024.

If you are interested in contributing to the advancement of the Australian Geotourism Discovery Portal and assisting with these next steps, please reach out to the Chair of Working Group 1 - Digital Technologies, Mark Williams E: Mark.Williams@utas.edu.au. A presentation by Mark to the recent AESC 2023 conference in Perth, Western Australia about this platform can also be accessed at  https://lnkd.in/ga4deQar