A WA expert says Mandurah and Peel are in an ideal position to consider becoming a geo tourism region.
Dr Kelvin Matthews, who is a Madora Bay resident, currently commutes from his home in Madora Bay to work in the Murchison region of WA and has been involved in the Murchison Geo Tourism project since early 2018.
Geo tourism is an emerging global economic development opportunity that fosters tourism based upon the geology and landscapes that shape the character of a region.
Geo tourism provides interpretation of how the geology informed flora and fauna and its use by traditional Aboriginal owners and non-Aboriginal settlers, according to Dr Matthews.
"By drawing connections between geology and landscapes, ecology, astronomical observations and their relevance to Aboriginal culture in the region, geo tourism can add a completely new dimension to the regional tourism experience.
"Geo tourism can also add significant new value to existing experiences and create new economic opportunities for local communities."
He said Mandurah and the Peel already abounded with these features and characteristics and the region was therefore ideally placed to embark on the geo region experience that would embed tourism as an integral economic component of the region.
"Ultimately, growing our tourism industry improves amenity for everyone and makes our region an even more desirable place to live, work and invest," he said. "For example, the thrombolites at Lake Clifton or the forests of Dwellingup."
With the involvement of the Peel Development Commission and all the Peel local governments, together with business organisations and tourism operators, a Peel Geo Region project could be undertaken with positive outcomes, he said.
Dr Matthews has been working on the Murchison Geo Tourism project, which is a collaboration between the seven Murchison local governments and the Mid West Development Commission, with the assistance of Professor Ross Dowling from Edith Cowan University.
The Murchison Geo Region project has just completed stage one that included completion of the plan blueprint which focused on new economic and social development opportunities for people and businesses in the region.
The project also included identifying and describing geo region sites, branding style guide, a Geo Region Trail Guidebook and most importantly a dedicated 'app" for site identification and location description.
As Australia's first geo tourism development it is expected to draw national and international interest.
The project will target increased rates of visitor numbers, spending per visit and length of stay.
"It will appeal to specific high-value tourism markets and provide opportunities for attraction of external private investment," Dr Matthews said.
"Most importantly, the benefits will be localised within the Murchison, for those businesses, community groups and individuals that are proactive and seek to capitalise."
The official launch of the Murchison Geo Region is scheduled for later this year.
