Geopark Gemer: Geodiverzita a banské dedičstvo v geoturistike

Abstract

The integration of geological heritage conservation into a regional sustainable economic and cultural development strategy is a general objective of geoparks. A geopark is an area that contains one or more sites of scientific importance not only from a geological point of view, but also from the point of view of its archaeological, economic or cultural specificity of European significance. The main objective of the paper is to present knowledge review and option for the development and strengthening of the role of geodiversity in tourism through the proposal of inclusion of the Geopark Gemer among the Geoparks of Slovakia. In the Gemer-Malohont region, there are 69 significant geological sites, which are protected under Act No. 543/2002 Coll., 5th or 4th level of protection, or are declared under the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. There are 1,444 old mine workings and 42 protected deposit areas in the territory. There are also numerous caves, scrapes, scrape fields, sinkholes, karst plots, karst lakes, cave openings, karst vents, etc., a total of 207 of them have been recorded in the area. Based on these findings, we can confirm that the Gemer-Malohont region has the potential for geotourism development. The designation of Geopark Gemer would ensure the promotion and protection of the region's geological and cultural heritage.