Geoproducts – Innovative development strategies in UNESCO Geoparks: Concept, implementation methodology, and case studies from Naturtejo Global Geopark, Portugal
Joana Rodrigues, Carlos Neto de Carvalho, Mario A. Ramos, Raquel Ramos, Ana Vinagre, Helena Vinagre
Abstract
Since the appearance of Geoparks in 2000, geoproducts have been a strategy for local development and innovation in these territories, intimately associated with geotourism. Most of the Geoparks have their own approaches and strategies to local products and many have started to develop geoproducts in the early stages of the application processes to UNESCO. However, the definition of geoproduct remains variable and unclear. In this study we review the different concepts of geoproducts and strategies for their development used in UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) and present the approach of the Naturtejo UGGp developed for over 14 years, defining geoproduct categories and case studies. This comprehensive analysis has demonstrated that geoproducts are strategic for local development and geotourism activity in UGGs. Best practices from UGGs allowed us to create a systematic methodology for geoproduct implementation in Naturtejo Geopark.