The Indonesian Geoparks Network (IGN) successfully held the 5th annual Geofest in July 2024, drawing attention to critical issues such as education, conservation, disaster mitigation, and human resource development within the geotourism sector. With the theme “Volcano as a World Class Sustainable Tourism Destination,” this year’s event saw participation from a diverse array of stakeholders across the Asia and Pacific region.
Representing the Bohol UNESCO Global Geopark, Joanne M. Pinat, Bohol’s Tourism Officer, presented the island’s geotourism development initiatives. Pinat’s presentation emphasized Bohol’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism and shared valuable insights with attendees, fostering a robust exchange of knowledge and experience.
The event brought together 750 participants, including local community members, women’s groups, youth, Geoparkeans, practitioners, academics, private sector representatives, media personnel, and tourism enthusiasts. The inclusive nature of Geofest underscores IGN’s commitment to involving various segments of society in promoting geotourism and ecotourism.
Since its inception in 2020, Geofest has been a platform for IGN to support local MSMEs and women’s groups, enabling them to showcase and promote their products both directly and digitally. The 2024 edition expanded these opportunities, providing greater exposure to participants.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rinjani-Lombok and Bohol Island Geoparks during the opening ceremony. This MoU signifies a formal partnership aimed at promoting their respective activities based on UNESCO Global Geopark principles. Both geoparks committed to mutual cooperation to foster a better Earth and society.
The agreement outlines several key areas of collaboration, including disaster reduction programs, cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, climate change collaboration, conservation and research, and human resource development. Building on their experiences with significant earthquakes, both geoparks will develop new disaster reduction initiatives.
The partnership also aims to enhance international solidarity through cultural exchanges, promote sustainable tourism in line with the Arouca Declaration, and address climate change impacts through shared observations and action plans.
Furthermore, they will collaborate on geological heritage conservation based on the Digne Declaration and facilitate staff exchanges to improve skills in geosites management and geo-education.
To implement the MoU, each participant will fund their own activities and seek grants or third-party funding opportunities. The agreement will remain in effect for four years, with annual work plans developed to prioritize projects based on available funding.
The 5th Geofest underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing geotourism and addressing global challenges.
As Bohol and Rinjani-Lombok embark on this partnership, the chairman of the Geopark Management Council of the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, ensures that their shared commitment to sustainable development and community resilience promises to set a benchmark for other geoparks worldwide. (PIMO/ML)
