Promoting geotourism through digital accessibility: A study of Portuguese geoparks’s websites

Fátima Matos Silva, Helena Albuquerque, Jorge Marques

Article ID: 9398
Vol 8, Issue 14, 2024

VIEWS - 7 (Abstract) 5 (PDF)

Abstract


Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) are critical for biodiversity conservation and ecological balance. These areas are not only refuges for wildlife but also pivotal in promoting sustainable tourism. Geoparks, a unique subset of NPAs, emphasize geological heritage, offering distinctive educational and recreational opportunities. This article explores the significance of Geoparks in Portugal for geotourism and assesses the accessible digital communication strategies of Portuguese Geoparks, emphasizing the analysis of pedagogical concerns. The study highlights the importance of online engagement in enhancing visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism practices.


Keywords


natural protected areas; geoparks; geotourism; sustainable tourism; digital communication; virtual accessibility

Full Text:

PDF


References


Al Mohaya, J.; Elassal, M. (2023). Assessment of Geosites and Geotouristic Sites for Mapping Geotourism: A Case Study of Al-Soudah, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Geoheritage, 15, 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00774-w

Balmford A, Green JMH, Anderson M, Beresford J, Huang C, Naidoo R, Walpole M, Manica A. (2015) Walk on the Wild Side: Estimating the Global Magnitude of Visits to Protected Areas. PLoS Biol 13(2): e1002074. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002074

Butler, R. W. (1999). Sustainable tourism: A state‐of‐the‐art review. Tourism Geographies, 1(1), 7-25

Caldwell, B., Cooper, M., Reid, L.G., & Vanderheiden, G. (2008). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. W3C.

Carrión-Mero, P.; Dueñas-Tovar, J.; Jaya-Montalvo, M.; Herrera-Franco, G.; Berrezueta, E.; Morante-Carballo, F. (2020). Assessment of UNESCO Global Geoparks websites for a public geocommunication, International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 12 (2), 223-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2024.04.001.

Clark, J. (2002). Building Accessible Websites. New Riders Publishing.

Eagles PFJ. (2014). Research priorities in park tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 22(4), 528-549. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2013.785554.

Ellis, K., & Kent, M. (2015). Disability and New Media. Routledge.

Henriques, M. H.; Brilha, J. (2017). UNESCO Global Geoparks: A Strategy towards Global Understanding and Sustainability. Episodes J. Int. Geosci. 2017, 40, 349–355

Henry, S.L. (2007). Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design. Lulu.com.

Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and sustainable development: Who owns paradise? (2nd ed.). Island Press.

Hummel C, Provenzale A, van der Meer J, Wijnhoven S, Nolte A, Poursanidis D, et al. (2017) Ecosystem services in European protected areas: Ambiguity in the views of scientists and managers? PLoS ONE 12(11): e0187143. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187143

Kudla, M.; Javorská, M.; Vašková, J.; Cˇ ech, V.; Tometzová, D. (2024). Inventory and Evaluation of Geosites: Case Studies of the Slovak Karst as a Potential Geopark in Slovakia. Sustainability, 16, 7783. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177783

Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable tourism development: A critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(6), 459-475.

Marcotte, E. (2011). Responsive Web Design. A Book Apart.

Marta-Pedroso C, Laporta L, Gama I, Domingos T (2018) Economic valuation and mapping of Ecosystem Services in the context of protected area management (Natural Park of Serra de São Mamede, Portugal). One Ecosystem 3: e26722. https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e26722

Migo´ n, P.; Pijet-Migo´ n, E. (2024). Non-Uniform Distribution of Geoheritage Resources in Geoparks—Problems, Challenges and Opportunities. Resources, 13, 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/ resources13020023

Newsome,D.; Dowling,R.(2018). Geoheritage and Geotourism. In Reynard, E. and Brilha, J. (Eds), Geoheritage, Assessment, Protection, and Management; Springer, 305–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809531-7.00017-4

Nyulas, J.; Dezsi,S.; Nit, ă, A.; Toma, R.-A.; Lazăr, A.-M. (2024). Trends and Future Directions in Analysing Attractiveness of Geoparks Using an Automated Merging Method of Multiple Databases—R-Based Bibliometric Analysis. Land, 13, 1627. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101627

Perakakis, E.; Trihas, N.; Venitourakis, M.; Mastorakis, G.; Kopanakis, I. (2020). Social Media as a Marketing Tool for Greek Destinations. Tourismos 2016, 11, 157–181. https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2017/v40i4/017036

Seale, J. (2006). E-Learning and Disability in Higher Education: Accessibility Research and Practice. Routledge.

Silva, F. Matos; Sousa, C.; Albuquerque, H. (2022). Analytical Model for the Development Strategy of a Low-Density Territory: The Montesinho Natural Park. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4373. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074373

Silva, F., Borges, I. (2020). Digital accessibility on institutional websites of Portuguese tourism. Technological Progress, Inequality and Entrepreneurship: From Consumer Division to Human Centricity, pp. 67–85. Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26245-7_5

Silva, F.M., Borges, I., Costa, E., Pinto, A.S., Abreu, A. (2022). Digital Adaptation of the Portuguese Museums Educational Service in a Pandemic Context—Case Study. In: Mesquita, A., Abreu, A., Carvalho, J.V. (eds) Perspectives and Trends in Education and Technology. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 256. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5063-5_79

Thatcher, J., et al. (2006). Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance. Apress.

Unesco. (2020). UNESCO Global Geoparks. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/global-geoparks

W3C. (2023). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. W3C Recommendation. Retrieved from https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/

Waddell, C. (1998). Applying the ADA to the Internet: A Web Accessibility Standard. Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 16(3), 893-910.

Weaver, D. B. (2001). Ecotourism as mass tourism: Contradiction or reality? The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 42(2), 104-112.

Xanthakis, M.; Simatou, A.; Antonopoulos, N.; Kanavos, A.; Mylonas, N. Alternative Forms of Tourism: A Comparative Study of Website Effectiveness in Promoting UNESCO Global Geoparks and International Dark Sky Parks. Sustainability 2024, 16, 864. https:// doi.org/10.3390/su16020864




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd9398

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Fátima Matos Silva, Helena Albuquerque, Jorge Marques

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.