Page 361 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Conclusions and Recommendations 337

Figure 22.1 Volcano tourist at Mt Aso, Japan, trying to take a photo of the active crater by using the low barrier to get
a better view

information on all volcanoes and advice for translations into enough languages to cover the
visiting tourists and residents. This would assist range of tourists who may frequent a site, interpretive
many volcano tourists by cutting down on the or warning signs will fail to be effective. That is
numbers of websites that have to be consulted to where visual images are a better option, as they are
find necessary information. Several respondents graphic and educational with many pictograms or
made the point that there will always be people symbols already being used and which are globally
who do not listen, which unfortunately is true, but understood (e.g. the red sign for STOP).
it is also necessary to provide more vital information Another problem is the often observed low
to the majority who are looking for guidelines guard rails around active sites. Many tourists
they can follow to minimize their personal risk. ignore fencing if it is too low or incomplete as this
The heightened awareness of danger often does not imply serious danger (Figure 22.1). As
increases the interest in volcanic environments even this is a cost factor, active volcanic and geothermal
more, and the excitement of watching a volcano areas should not be open to the public if safety
erupt can cause people to lose focus on their standards are not met, or fees should be raised to
personal safety. In many areas warning signs have allow redevelopment of the fences.
been erected (Iceland, New Zealand, Japan etc.), Recommendations for the
but often the information is not understood by
visitors due to language barriers. Even with the development of safety
widespread use of the English language, not every guidelines for tourism in active
tourist is confident enough to read signs which
often use local expressions and are not translated volcanic environments
and many volcanic destinations are in non-English The following recommendations for safety
speaking countries. As long as there are insufficient guidelines were developed over a number of

Ch22.indd 337 4/7/2010 12:17:31 PM