Page 45 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

22 Introduction

the habit of visiting their volcanoes in great offering sufficient information for visitors, it is still
numbers, they are generally aware of emergency the personal risk perception and risk acceptance
and evacuation plans. They are also familiar with thresholds (Figure 1.6) of the individual tourist
the area, which means they can follow designated that can present potential problems in risk
escape routes and know how to find refuge management. What is needed is a commitment
locations. Tourists do NOT have this advantage. from all the relevant authorities like tourism
Millions of visitors who travel to active volcanos boards and associations, volcano observatories and
and geothermal environments every year are the scientific communities, local governments and
relying on what is available to them either a) on tour operators to accept the fact that there are
the Internet, b) through publications in the between 100 and 150 million people every year
general literature or c) what they are told at their visiting volcanic and geothermal environments,
destination. This does not necessarily reflect real- with many of these visitors being rather unaware
time updates, which are rather important in active of potential risks. All stakeholders should consider
volcanic regions. joining forces and working towards making
Even with major national parks (e.g. volcano tourism as safe as possible with safety
Yellowstone or Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park) guidelines for all visitors of active volcanic areas

Figure 1.6 Individual risk evaluation resulting in either acceptance of the risk
or avoidance

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