Exploring applied sustainable strategies through geoheritage and geotourism: A systematic literature review

Abstract

The growing body of research on geotourism and geoheritage presents an opportunity to explore the applied strategies for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Geoheritage and geotourism have emerged as concepts that can contribute to these goals by promoting responsible tourism, conservation, and community development. This systematic review critically examines the interrelationships between “geoheritage” and “geotourism” approaches in relation to their integration with the SDGs and broader sustainability considerations within the scholarly domain. A total of 205 research articles, collected from the Scopus database over an 18-year period (2005 to October 2023) were initially identified. Following a comprehensive analysis, 40 articles were found to fully meet the objectives of the systematic literature review and were subsequently included in the main study. Utilizing a meticulous framework based on the PRISMA guidelines, this study scrutinizes and synthesizes these 40 peer-reviewed research articles. It explores the dynamics between geoheritage, geotourism, and their implications for advancing sustainability goals inherent in the SDGs across different landscapes. VOSviewer software was employed for various citation-related network analyses. The discussion features successful case studies in complex topographies such as volcanic regions, mining sites, and deserts that highlight practical strategies for promoting sustainability as suggested in the reviewed articles, while also revealing a notable gap in effective applied strategies. The findings show that the prevailing trend favors inventory-centric investigations, primarily emphasizing quantitative analyses of the geosites. This focus limits the applied policies of geotourism and geoheritage for local communities and regions. The insights derived from this review serve as valuable guidance for both academic and non-academic stakeholders in formulating tactics that underscore the region's untapped geotouristic potential. Furthermore, the review's outcomes hold promise for contributing to the objectives of the Global Geopark Network, particularly in the area of sharing “geopark-related knowledge.”