Geomorphosites and geotourism in volcanic landscape: the example of La Corona del Lajial cinder cone (El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain).

Abstract

Geomorphosites and geotourism in volcanic landscape: the example of La Corona del Lajial cinder cone (El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain). Volcanic landscapes are very often visited by tourists. This paper underlines the relevance of geomorphological heritage as a tourist resource through an assessment of the different geosites (scientific or intrinsic values, cultural or added values and use and managements values) present in La Corona del Lajial Volcano, located in the Canarian island of El Hierro (Spain). El Hierro receives a type of sustainable tourism related to its ecotourist offer based on products like diving or hiking. However, the volcanoes on the island are not appreciated enough as a tourist attraction. The objective of this paper is to highlight the tourist potential of volcanic geomorphology as a tourist resource and alternative activity to diving, by means of the creation of new ecotouristic products such as volcanic hiking.