Research on Popular Science Tourism Based on SWOT-AHP Model: A Case Study of Koktokay World Geopark in China

Abstract

A geopark is the best place for scientific knowledge dissemination, recreation and regional economic development. However, research on science tourism in China’s national geoparks is still in its infancy and the theory is lagging behind practical development needs. For the purpose of exploring the shortcomings and optimization paths of geoparks in science tourism development, here, we used Koktokay World Geopark as the research object and examined the internal advantages, internal disadvantages, external opportunities and external challenges. Then, using 17 indicators, such as natural resource endowment, a SWOT-AHP model was constructed to systematically analyze the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and threats. The analysis found that advantages > disadvantages > opportunities > threats. The SWOT four-quadrant strategy was positioned at the first quadrant, and the advantage–opportunity strategy should be based on its internal advantages and make full use of the external opportunity conditions. Based on the results, suggestions were made to maintain resource advantages, obtain policy opportunities and improve the transportation conditions and the interpretation system; hence, in this study, a reasonable path for the development of science tourism in Koktokay World Geopark was explored and theoretical references for the science tourism and sustainable development of other geoparks were provided.

Analyzing Community Perception of Protected Areas to Effectively Mitigate Environmental Risks Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis: The Case of Savu Sea National Marine Park, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

“…Designating this area a geopark could reduce its high-value geological heritage and geological diversity. However, integrating biodiversity and culture, developed within the three main pillars of conservation, education, and local economic development, could help [45][46][47]. Thus, the development in these two villages has a clear pathway towards a conservation-based area.…”

Evaluation of popular science tourism in Guangzhou HEMC based on PLS-SEM

“…Nevertheless, it is undeniable that popular science tourism has garnered increasing attention in recent years. The research focus is still on geopark, such as Koktokay World Geopark [6] and Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark [7] , and the study of tourist experience in Cuihua Mountain Landslide National Geopark [8] . The government emphasized in a 2022 document that all types of educational institutions and research centers should enhance their commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, thereby highlighting the significance of university towns as popular science tourist destinations.…”

“…The government emphasized in a 2022 document that all types of educational institutions and research centers should enhance their commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, thereby highlighting the significance of university towns as popular science tourist destinations. Currently, China has established a relatively comprehensive system for popular science tourism, with geoparks and other geosciences as the main features [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] and other natural sciences serving as supplementary content [3] , [4] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] .…”

“…The assessment of geoparks and natural parks development is a crucial aspect in the research of popular science tourism, given China's abundant resources in these fields. Generally speaking, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) [6] , [11] , [15] and SWOT analysis [6] , [7] , [9] , [11] are the most commonly utilized method. The evaluation system of forest park science popularization resources was constructed by Wang et al using AHP, which holds significant guidance for the development of forest science popularization tourism products [15] .…”

“…In fact, to address the limitations of these two methods, more studies have integrated them in order to achieve a comprehensive evaluation. Long et al evaluated Koktokay World Geopark through the method of SWOT-AHP [6] . However, the majority of previous studies have focused on the original development of popular science tourism, neglecting the subsequent tracking and advancement of popular science tourism destinations.…”