Geoheritage: the Foundation for Sustainable Geotourism

Over recent decades, many studies on geological heritage have been carried out, one of the main results being the dissemination of a more enthusiastic approach to the information on geological processes that can be deduced from outcrops and landscapes (Reynard & Brilha 2018). Many events, organized in different locations across the world by scientific associations, societies and research institutions have contributed to encourage people's interest in studying the processes that affect the Earth's surface. Numerous scientific papers have addressed issues concerning geological heritage, notably the census and the study of geosites, places where geological peculiarities can be observed, which constitutes the first step towards the application of all strategies useful for geoconservation and enhancement of this inexhaustible natural resource (Wimbledon 2011). Geosites can allow the natural phenomena that occur on the Earth's surface to be highlighted and facilitate their understanding (Cook and Abbott 2015). Studies of geosites have also served to raise awareness among the administrators of particular areas and make it clear that the time had come to plan actions aimed at geoconservation and compatible enhancement of the geological heritage (Bentivenga et al. 2015 and Palladino et al. 2013). Moreover, such studies also serve to increase general awareness of the geological heritage among local and national communities. Furthermore, study of geosites has facilitated the process of developing laws on the subject and creating databases useful for the preservation and a better knowledge of geological heritage as well as for territorial planning (Geremia et al. 2015).