Assessing Geosites for Sustainable Geotourism: A New Practical Tool Applied in the Beigua UNESCO Global Geopark (Italy)

The increasing recognition of the value of geodiversity has highlighted the need for practical tools that balance geoconservation and sustainable geotourism. This study presents a methodology designed to support managers of protected areas, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and aspiring geoparks in identifying geosites with high touristic potential, while simultaneously assessing their risk of degradation. The proposed method comprises: (i) the evaluation of threats to geoheritage at the scale of the entire investigated area, (ii) a qualitative evaluation of the touristic potential of geosites, and (iii) the assessment of degradation risk based on the sensitivity of the geosite to damage from intrinsic and extrinsic factors, visitor pressure, existing protection measures, and magnitude of loss. The methodology was applied to the Beigua UNESCO Global Geopark (Italy), where it enabled the selection of geosites with strong tourism vocation. Results revealed differentiated risk levels across inland, watershed, and coastal areas, guiding the definition of targeted management actions such as access restrictions, interpretative panels, and protective infrastructures. This approach provides a replicable, data-driven tool to strengthen sustainable geotourism strategies and promote socio-economic development without compromising geoheritage.