Page 88 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Part III

The Americas

Introduction America are examples highlighting the large
number of regions with volcanic environments
which are used to attract visitors and to increase
the revenue from tourism. In some countries
investment in necessary infrastructure and
For many people the first place with volcanic precautions for health and safety around active
activity that comes to mind is probably Hawai‘i volcanoes do not match the economic benefit
and the benevolent flowing and glowing lava gained from volcano tourism and accidents, and
which can often be viewed from relatively close fatalities do happen occasionally although statistics
up seemingly without any risk to the curious are not highly publicized.
visitors. Although this may be the case in a In the northern Americas many national parks
controlled environment accompanied by trained and other protected areas have systems and
guides or rangers this can lead to fatal errors in regulations for risk management in place, which
judgement when tourists are venturing out on give visitors enough information for their visit if
their own, especially after dark. Another problem they choose to look for it before they travel and
is that people often associate volcanism elsewhere abide by it when they arrive.
with the gently flowing lava in Hawai‘i, a Most of the larger volcanic and geothermal
perception that cannot be applied to completely national parks have information centres for visitors
different volcanic regions. The impression that it is where educational videos with warnings and
possible to outrun a lava flow could not be further safety guidelines are offered. But there are still
from reality in most areas. areas where information for visitors is either hard
The chapters and case studies covering several to find or language barriers are the cause for
countries and regions in North, South and Central potential problems.

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