“Geoparks will become one of the public’s best loved park brands,” says Curtin Sarawak senior research fellow

Miri – 21 November 2014 – How to strategically market the ‘Geopark’ brand was the emphasis of a keynote speech presented by Dr. Lisa Marie King, senior research fellow of the Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI) at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), at the recent Sanin Kaigan Geopark International Conference held in Yumura, Japan.

Geoparks are places with a geological heritage acknowledged by experts for its international significance. Dr. King said that geoparks leverage their geoheritage to diversify local and regional economic opportunities, conserve natural resources, encourage respect for local traditions and culture, and promote community involvement with the site.

Dr. King, who is a member of the Langkawi Geopark Scientific Consultative Committee, added that geoparks also promote sustainable tourism within beautiful and interesting geodestinations.

According to her, there are over 1,300 protected area brands used around the world today. As the first suite of geoparks were established only in 2004, most people are not familiar with the new park concept.

“However, in the ten years since their establishment on-the-ground, the geopark concept has expanded across the globe. There are now approximately 100 geoparks worldwide. I believe that geoparks, over time, will become one of the public’s best loved park brands,” said Dr. King.

She remarked that currently, Japan has seven geoparks. Citing Sanin Kaigan Geopark as an excellent example of a geopark, Dr. King commented that its wonderful hot springs and scenery including waterfalls, scenic vistas, hiking tracks, an educational and fun visitor centre, and its friendly and hospitable staff members, embody the values of the geopark brand.

Commenting on the conference, Dr. King said it was a great opportunity for her to learn and see more about what others in the geopark field are doing with the brand, especially in Japan.

“It was a meaningful experience for me to deliver one of the keynote addresses and share my thoughts and research with the conference participants to further help them innovate the brand,” she said.

In addition to writing several book chapters on geotourism in Hawaii and South Korea, Dr. King has also delivered presentations and keynote addresses on geotourism and marketing UNESCO brands around the world. One of her core research areas at the CSRI is studying World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks here in Malaysia.

For more information on the CSRI, visit its website at www.csri.curtin.edu.my or call +60 85 443 939. Dr. King can be contacted at +60 85 445 039 or by email to lisa.m.king@curtin.edu.my.

Dr. King and fellow conference participants touring one of the waterfall geosites at Sanin Kaigan Geopark.

Dr. King lowering eggs into hot spring water to let them become boiled eggs, as part of the visitors’ experience at Sanin Kaigan Geopark.