Preparedness of geotourism facilities in disaster mitigation based on the Global South viewpoint: case study of East Java, Indonesia.

Abstract

This paper assesses the preparedness of tourism destinations to mitigate the potential risks of unforeseen calamities. A comprehensive assessment of the degree to which destinations ensure the protection of visitors is examined. A qualitative methodology was applied by implementing on-site assessment using a tourism destination readiness form that had been developed in advance. The aim was to examine the preparedness for potential disasters and the existing facilities managed by destination managers in Indonesia’s geotourism sector. A dataset was gathered on potential hazards and the preparedness of all (n24) geotourism facilities within the Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark region. To support the data, a group discussion was held to accommodate the stakeholders’ perspectives. Although complete mitigation management is difficult to achieve, preparedness activities can reduce the high impact of natural hazards that may occur unexpectedly. Potential catastrophes in the geotourism sector range in severity from minor to major and necessitate responses of varying scale. This research demonstrates that tourism destinations in the Global South are not as yet prepared for the challenges at hand. As such, structural and non-structural approaches to mitigation management must be taken seriously. The study provides insights into the preparedness and commitment of geotourism stakeholders in pre-disaster contexts in the Global South, as well as the impact of the facilities on geotourism activities.