Page 46 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Introduction 23

worldwide as a priority. This would be a step in by plane (MEA, 2008). Horse riding to volcanic
the right direction by invoking responsible tourist craters like San Cristobal is another option and
behaviour focusing on risk prevention as well as snowboarders and skiers go to Cerro Negro for a
educating people about the unpredictable and spot of volcano boarding on the flanks of the
potentially hostile nature of some volcanic and scoria cone to enjoy an unusual adrenalin rush
geothermal areas. Risk mitigation, starting with (Taylor, 2009).
risk prevention, has become a priority for the In Asian countries like the Philippines and
tourism sector, and must be encouraged among Indonesia volcanoes are also becoming major
visitors as accidents and injuries are increasing tourist attractions – often not far from world
among ‘adventure tourists’. The achievement of heritage listed sites, as in the case of Borobodur in
this is an important issue for further investigation central Java where the rather notorious Mt Merapi
and research. Recommendations for safety is located – amongst other more or less active
guidelines for tourism in active volcanic volcanoes. Action Asia (2009) is a website that
environments are included in Chapter 22. offers advice for hiking volcanoes with a ‘hotlist of
must-do peaks’. Island tourism is combined with
Summary: The New Frontier – volcano tourism in the form of Anak Krakatau,
volcanic and geothermal based on the historic eruption events from 1883,
destinations which lure visitors to this Indonesian island to see
for themselves the location of the cataclysmic
Specialized tour operators (Heelan, 2004) such as eruption of Krakatau. The island is generally
Volcano Discovery Tours, Volcano Expeditions accessible for tourists, unless Indonesian authorities
International (VEI) and Volcano Travel offer their prohibit access due to renewed activity (Decker
customers what they are looking for: an adventurous and Decker, 1998).
trip to volcanic regions with guaranteed activity The African volcano Nyiragongo has been
under the guidance of trained volcanologists. described as ‘an exceptional volcano’ by Tazieff
Attracting tourists with scenic beauty (Harris, (1979) who repeatedly visited this mountain
2006), volcano and geothermal tourism includes despite the extreme difficulties that face every
accommodation (from budget to luxury) at the tourist who wants to get close to one of the few
destination, often as close as possible for eruption craters in the world with an active lava lake. These
viewing, which is seen as an added plus. Thanks to do not however stop determined volcano tourists
infrastructure development near active volcanoes from setting out on expeditions to Nyiragongo
visitors can enjoy volcanic landscapes from either but unfortunately this sometimes can end with an
their hotel balconies or from the verandah of a accident. A Chinese volcano tourist died in 2007
bungalow with uninterrup ted views (Dunlop et al, while attempting to take photographs without the
2000), whereby the combination with local hot protection of ropes, ignoring warnings from tour
springs for relaxation frequently offers a further guides, and falling over 100m into the crater
highlight, all courtesy of volcanic activity. On the (ABC News, 2007). Further to the north in
other hand, places with a very recent history of Tanzania is the volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai which
volcanic activity like Montserrat in the Caribbean has been described by Belton (2006) as very
are looking at attracting visitors again by replacing dangerous for inexperienced tourists. Belton
destroyed infrastructure as soon as possible maintains a website where he lists the risk factors
(Swanson, 2005) in the remaining safe areas. in detail, mentioning his own close calls during
With expeditions in Bolivia the focus is on repeated visits. Lengai tours and safaris are however
trekking volcanoes such as Tunupa and Licancabur promoted on several travel sites on the Internet.
combined with watching condor nests (Bolivia Most volcanic destinations worldwide
Contact, 2008), and thermal springs which are endeavour to let visitors see as much as possible;
also considered an added bonus for the volcano for example, the geological features along Crater
tourist. Nicaragua advertises volcanoes, lakes and Rim Drive in the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National
rainforests to be explored by hiking, kayaking or Park include spectacular views of exposures of ash

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