Case Studies of the Belitong Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark: Evaluating Geosites for Geotourism Development

Abstract

Despite Indonesia's abundance of diverse geological features, the country has yet to fully acknowledge and exploit its potential for promoting geotourism. The present study assesses the capacity of a specific geotourism site, namely the Belitong Geopark located in the Belitung archipelago, which attracts a significant number of visitors. In this study, we present a methodology for evaluating the developmental prospects of geotourism locations through the utilization of three distinct forms of analysis. Initially, a quantitative assessment was conducted to determine the numerical worth of diverse attributes of the locations deemed significant for the advancement of geotourism. These characteristics included the added value that non-geotourism features contributed in addition to their scientific, tourism, and conservation values. Tourism can be a major source of income for the local community, but it is important to ensure that it is sustainable and does not damage the environment. The development of geotourism on Belitung Island could be facilitated through a collaborative effort between local communities, governmental bodies, and academic institutions through a private-public partnership.