Page 20 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Preface

Every year large numbers of people are attracted take several publications to do justice to an
to volcanic and geothermal areas. With over 1500 emerging tourism sector which offers so much for
volcanoes currently classed as active worldwide, the study of natural, cultural, historical and
part of this attraction is the unpredictable and geological heritage as well as extreme tourism
potentially hostile phenomena connected to experiences.
volcanic activity. In fact, heightened activity seems Trips to volcanoes are often independent from
to correlate with an increase in visitor numbers as seasons and climate, offer unique natural
many of the papers in this book show. environments and are destinations with a wide
Active and dormant volcanoes and their range of recreation and leisure opportunities. The
associated unique landforms have fascinated more recent trend towards nature based geotourism
humans throughout history, however, to date, has caused an increase of interest in volcanic and
there has been very little research into volcano geothermal destinations and their rich
tourism and no literature recognizing the environmental heritage. The unique landforms of
importance of volcanic and geothermal tourism as highly active volcanoes and geothermal areas are
an independent sub-sector of various types of especially of interest to travellers who enjoy a
nature-based tourism including adventure and more adventurous holiday.
extreme tourism. This book is the first to identify For a number of years we have observed
key issues of relevance to tourism in volcanic and people visiting active and dormant volcanoes.
geothermal environments. Over time it became evident that volcano tourism,
While planning this book special consideration although not generally (or not as yet) known by
was given to the sustainability and risk management this name, is a rather popular sub-sector of nature-
side of tourism in active volcanic and geothermal based geotourism and ecotourism. What also
areas. In many regions, risk management planning became obvious is the apparent lack of safety
and policies presently include only local residents guidelines and recommendations for visitors in
and communities who are living close to active many of these active environments. Although
volcanoes. Temporary visitors, although they many national parks and other protected areas
number millions each year, are generally ignored provide information for visitors, including
despite the fact that they contribute significantly warning signs, announcements and educational
to the economy in many countries where volcano videos, these are not always made available in
tourism constitutes one of the main sources of more than the local language. This omission
revenue from tourism. makes it difficult to raise the level of awareness of
This book provides a source of reference every tourist regarding possible accidents and
material for a number of significant volcanic and/ emergencies because danger is either ignored or
or geothermal destinations, in both chapter and in not perceived as such due to a lack of
case study format, although it is impossible to comprehensive information. In fact tourists may
cover every destination worldwide in one book as not even be aware that they are visiting an active
there are simply too many to choose from. It will environment.

Prelims.indd 19 4/7/2010 12:22:47 PM