Evaluation and ranking of geosites in Irati-PR: a pathway to geotourism

Abstract

Geosites offer a unique window into Earth’s history and the life it harbors. To effectively use a geosite as an educational tool, careful planning of its surroundings is essential, with a focus on efficiency and sustainability to lay the foundations for geotourism. In Irati, a diverse array of geosites has the potential to narrate pivotal moments and significant events in Earth’s history, thereby facilitating the dissemination of geoscientific knowledge. This study aims to evaluate and rank the potential of nine selected geosites, prioritizing them based on their intrinsic characteristics. The assessment utilizes two methodological approaches to evaluate tourism potential: the Tourism Potential Assessment Based on Endogenous Resources (Gomes, 2019), followed by quantification using an adaptation of one of Leno Cerro’s formulas (1992). The results yield a Tourism Value for each geosite, underscoring Irati’s considerable potential for geotourism development. Such development could stimulate the regional economy, strengthen cultural identity, and promote the dissemination of geoscientific knowledge to both residents and visitors.