Page 27 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

4 Introduction

Volcano tourism is an important sector of tourism (health and wellness), ecotourism and
geotourism, which includes the geodiversity and adventure tourism (Erfurt-Cooper and Cooper,
the geological heritage of unique landscape 2009). Secondly, volcano tourism includes several
features (Dowling and Newsome, 2006), but in specific leisure and recreational activities such as
particular the attractions of active volcanic and skiing (e.g. Hokkaido, New Zealand), hiking and
geothermal environments, and it is not uncommon trekking, mountaineering (e.g. Cascades, Andes),
that some tourists, who are looking for a more and camping – all of which form a perfect
adventurous getaway, are increasingly planning combination with exploring adventurous or
their travels around active volcanoes (Brace, 2000). unique destinations. Also, natural hot springs with
Between 550 volcanoes with historically recorded or without spa and resort facilities are often
activity (Edelmann, 2000; Schmincke, 2006) and associated with and in close proximity to volcanic
possibly up to 1500 volcanoes in total which are and geothermal activity, and many volcano tourists
believed to have erupted historically and/or during enjoy a relaxing soak in natural hot spring pools.
the Holocene (Smithsonian, 2009) are currently Sampling of the local cuisine is generally one of
classed as active (Figure 1.1 indicates major the additional selling points. A third reason for an
locations); subaqueous volcanoes are not included increase in volcano tourist numbers is the growing
in these figures. ease of access to remote destinations and the
The attraction of volcanoes can be appreciated affordability for budget travellers (e.g. backpackers
from the fact that they are included in 18 of Japan’s in Mesoamerica, New Zealand). A fourth reason is
28 national parks (Sakaguchi, 2005). A large the growing interest in the natural environment,
number of these fascinating landforms have gained which includes not only the biosphere or ecosphere,
in worldwide popularity for a variety of reasons. but also the geosphere with an extraordinary
Firstly, volcano tourism generally synergizes well natural heritage increasingly protected in national
with other forms of tourism such as hot spring parks (e.g. Yellowstone, Tongariro, Mt Fuji) and

Figure 1.1 The main volcanic regions of the world, generally following the plate boundaries
Notes: The numbers indicate tourist destinations of significance: 1) Hawai‘i, USA; 2) Aleutians, Alaska; 3) Kamchatka, Russia; 4) Japan; 5) Indonesia;
6) New Zealand; 7) Cascades, USA; 8) Galapagos, Ecuador; 10) Andean Volcanoes, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia; 11) Deception Island,
Antarctica; 12) Iceland; 13) Cape Verde, Independent; Canary Islands, Spain; Azores and Madeira, Portugal; 14) Philippines; 15) Reunion, Africa;
16) Congo and Tanzania; 17) Ethiopia; 18) Italy; 19) Iran; 20) Australia; 21) Germany and France (dormant); 22) Greece and Turkey.

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