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Cao Bang Geopark is one of three UNESCO heritage sites in Vietnam, with unique geological, landscape and cultural properties of high value to tourism. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the potential for geotourism development in Cao Bang Global Geopark, thereby proposing reasonable development strategies in the future. The research using the multi-criteria assessment and SWOT analysis tool found that Cao Bang Global Geopark has a high ability to attract tourists and exploit large tourism resources globally. However, the infrastructure, technical facilities, human resources and investment capital for geotourism are still limited and need to be improved. The research results can be considered useful references for academia and managers in finding strategies and solutions for sustainable geotourism development at Cao Bang Geopark in the future.

The Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark (TCUGGp), renowned for its exceptional geological and cultural significance, holds great potential to catalyze regional development and community empowerment. However, the TCUGGp received a warning status (yellow card) for revalidation of its status from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council (UGGpC) in 2024. Here, we explore the shortcomings and challenges in developing, managing, and promoting the geopark using primary and secondary data. We find that the TCUGGp faced significant challenges, including insufficiencies in human resources, financial constraints, low levels of community engagement, infrastructure gaps, and governance issues, which contributed to the warning status. We propose adopting a collaborative governance model based on the Pentahelix approach, integrating academia, business, community, government, and media (ABCGM) to address these challenges. We suggest how to involve the five stakeholders, and practical implementation for future actions for each stakeholder. By these means, we expect the TCUGGp to reverse its warning status and retain its UGGp status while building a better managerial team and sustainable geopark.

The scenic value of landscapes within Geoparks is often attributed to the geomorphological processes that have shaped them in the past or up to the present day, including landslides. However, these processes also pose significant threats to the integrity of geosites and the safety of visitors, highlighting the need for risk prevention and mitigation plans for geohazards. The Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark (southern Brazil) lacks landslide inventories and susceptibility maps, essential for conducting practical geohazard risk analyses. This study addresses this gap by compiling a landslide inventory of the major events over the past 30 years, using a rule-based Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) approach, and assessing the susceptibility for four modeling domains within the Geopark using the Information Value method. Seven independent variables (aspect, slope, topographic wetness index, terrain ruggedness index, geomorphons, elevation, and curvature) were selected, resulting in 120 combinations for each modeling domain. For each predisposing factor combination, model performance was assessed using the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve, and the conditional independence of variables was evaluated. The best models for each domain were selected based on the criteria of conditional independence, goodness of fit, and number of variables. The final landslide susceptibility map was produced by merging the best three models’ results. The resulting susceptibility classification indicates that many geosites are located in areas with moderate to very high susceptibility or within zones likely to experience material transport or deposition.

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.

Differences are conspicuous in the perception of some terms of geopark terminology such as geosite, geoheritage, geoconservation, and geodiversity in the publications of Turkish researchers, as well as in international research and publications on geoparks. This different perception hinders the unity of language in geopark studies and causes confusion in conceptual expression. This study aims to understand and discuss the meaning and conceptual perceptions of the main geopark terms of Turkish researchers by analyzing their geopark-themed studies and national/international publications. In the analysis, a total of 100 publications of Turkish researchers, 71 national and 29 international publications on geopark themes published after the referee process were evaluated. The 100 publications were classified according to the origin of the author’s discipline, whether the publication was national or international, cited publications related to the basic concepts of geoparks, and the conceptual meaning in the most cited publications and the conceptual perception in the articles were discussed. The results of the analysis highlighted the following findings. There is no common perception in the use of the prefix Geo in Geopark terminology on a national scale and the prefix Geo is perceived differently between Turkish geologists and geographer authors. It is understood that Turkish geographers generally use terms such as geoheritage, geosite, geodiversity, geoconservation, etc., in their national and international publications. While Turkish geologist authors mostly use the prefix Geo in their international publications, they prefer the terms geological heritage, geological site, geological diversity, geological protection, etc., for the same basic concepts in their national publications. The use of basic geopark terms in the articles of authors with other backgrounds is mainly similar to the approach of authors with geology background. The conclusion of this discussion is that the difference in conceptual perception of geopark terms is a problem for the geopark integrity strategy, and that it would be better to ensure linguistic unity with terminology such as geosite, geoheritage, geoconservation, and geodiversity.

Geotourism spans a range of visitor interests, from the specialist geotourist to the more general visitor. As well as supporting geoconservation outcomes, it provides economic, cultural, relational and social benefits for both visitors and host communities. The interconnections between geoheritage and the cultural components of the landscape have antecedents in concepts of landscape aesthetics in different cultures. These interconnections provide a range of opportunities for enhancing the geotourist experience and promoting geoconservation and geoeducation by means of activities that involve aesthetic and emotional experiences and interpretation through different cultural filters that encourage the rediscovery of a sense of wonder both about the geological stories in the landscape and the human interactions. A cultural ecosystem services framework provides a holistic approach for informing conservation policy, management and planning for geotourism, enabling assessment of multiple benefits and trade-offs for visitors and communities based on the values of the geoheritage assets. Geotourism studies could also benefit from integration of existing theory, conceptual analysis and practice from broader heritage and nature-based tourism and closer collaboration with relevant social sciences. Adhering to sound geoethical practice is an essential part of geotourism, which can also play a role in the promotion of geoethics among the public and professionals.

Khon Kaen Geopark (KKGp), located in the Western margin of the Khorat Plateau (Northeastern Thailand), showcases a complex topographic and structural framework shaped by regional tectonics. The area is underlain by the Mesozoic Khorat Group, comprising the Nam Phong, Phu Kradung, Phra Wihan, Sao Khua, Phu Phan, Khok Kruat, and Maha Sarakham Formations. This study integrates field-based structural analysis, satellite imagery, and seismic interpretation to investigate the tectonic evolution and geomorphological development of KKGp. The Western sector features a multiphase syncline forming mountainous terrain surrounding a central basin, with a strike-slip fault system to the South. In contrast, the eastern sector is defined by an anticline flanked by a central thrust fault and a reverse fault along its eastern margin, producing a relatively subdued landscape. Structural trends—N–S, NW–SE, and NE–SW—reflect multiple tectonic events. The interplay between tectonics and lithological variation has critically influenced modern geomorphology.

People worldwide are becoming increasingly interested in prestigious geological sites characterized by pristine nature and predominant original cultures, and the significance of these heritage sites has been further heightened by the exciting history of the planet. Today, geoheritage sites are making a significant contribution to tourism development in some countries. Tabas is one of Iran’s largest counties, and its distinctive nature and geoheritage attract many tourists and geologists every year. A wide range of geological heritage has been studied and mapped in this region. Besides serving as tourist attractions, these sites may be of educational, scientific, research, and aesthetic value. The research methodology draws upon Brilha’s method (Geoheritage 8(2):119–134;  2016 ), field surveys, surface geology, inventory, and diversity of geological heritage. This region of Iran is characterized by a wide range of high-resolution geodiversity (Precambrian-Quaternary), which provides a spectacular and diverse landscape and is of great importance for basic and applied research by geological and geographical scientists. Hence, it seems necessary to study and introduce the international values of Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) to facilitate an understanding of the Earth’s evolution. The present paper aims to introduce the geodiversity and geoheritage potential of Tabas UGGp as a basis for developing interdisciplinary studies, geotourism, and promoting sustainable tourism development (especially geotourism) in East Central Iran. The Geopark territory exhibits a diversity of geological heritage that is very impressive for the development of geotourism and other geoscience-related activities. This region’s importance in terms of geoheritage makes the development of educational and geoconservation programs a priority.