Page 26 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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Introduction

Patricia Erfurt-Cooper landscapes to fill in a day – or sometimes less –
depending on the location as part of a tour to a
Introduction to volcano and specific destination. For the purpose of this book
geothermal tourism we define volcano tourism as follows:
The context of volcano and Volcano tourism involves the exploration and study
geothermal tourism of active volcanic and geothermal landforms. Volcano
tourism also includes visits to dormant and extinct
This book presents a first collection of chapters volcanic regions where remnants of activity attract
looking more closely at a tourism sector that visitors with an interest in geological heritage.
includes travelling to volcanic and geothermal
destinations as part of the new quest for sustainable Volcanoes are described as ‘awesome and
tourism. Volcano tourism is particularly popular in spectacular examples of natural change’ (Simkin et
combination with recreational activities such as al, 1981, pvii) and as ‘nature’s most exciting and
skiing, hiking, trekking, climbing and visiting hot deadly shows’ with ‘their unpredictability and
springs, as well as many other outdoor activities intensity matched only by their visibly stunning
(Erfurt-Cooper and Cooper, 2009), and with the bursts of activity’ (Bourseillier and Durieux, 2002).
need for the strengthening of attitudes and practices Volcanic eruptions are portrayed by Sigurdsson
relating to environmentally sound tourism. Volcano and Lopes-Gautier (2000, p1289) as ‘one of
and geothermal tourism as a whole are under- nature’s most awesome spectacles’ with some
reported in the literature as yet, but the tourist volcanoes being exciting and dramatic symbols for
numbers for this special interest area are rising, a nation, for example, Vesuvius in Italy and Fuji
with study tours and field trips being offered to in Japan (Fisher et al, 1997). A variety of benefits
volcanic destinations worldwide. While in fact from volcanoes result in sustainable livelihoods in
volcano tourism has been widespread in European some locations (Kelman and Mather, 2008); these
countries such as Italy, Greece and Iceland for include thermal springs and geothermal energy,
centuries, greater mobility and a personal desire tourism, geothermally based agriculture and
for more information about these unique and mining, whereby income can be combined with
active landforms are key motivations behind the visiting hot springs or a geothermal power station
growing interest of 21st century tourists in volcanic (Iceland, New Zealand). Sigurdsson et al (2000)
and geothermal environments. provide a summary of the literature promoting
Volcano tourism comes in many different volcanic benefits like geothermal resources and
guises – in some cases people are not even aware tourism resulting from volcanism. Perry and
that they could be close to active volcanism, while Lindell (1990) suggested nearly 20 years ago that
for others touring active volcanic and geothermal risks from volcanism are directly related to the
environments is part of the trip agenda and many beauty and recreational quality of an area and its
visitors will undertake a short side trip to volcanic power to attract visitors.

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