Volcanoes: A Unique Adventure and Tourist Attraction.

Convenors

Patricia Erfurt-Cooper   James Cook University, Australia   Email: Patricia.Erfurt@jcu.edu.au Rosaly Lopes   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA   Email: rosaly.m.lopes-gautier@jpl.nasa.gov

Description

This session will focus on: *Tourism in volcanic environments with special consideration of potential hazards, visitor safety and risk management issues*. Volcano tourism is recognised as a significant element of nature-based tourism, geotourism and ecotourism, adventure tourism and extreme tourism. Millions of people travel to active and dormant volcanic environments every year and it is important to discuss all aspects of visiting these often quite challenging areas. It is important to make volcano tourism for the increasing numbers of visitors as safe as possible. Temporary visitors are generally not included in current risk management strategies for residents living near active volcanoes. Existing guidelines therefore need to be amended to include temporary visitors, as these generally do not have sufficient information about evacuation procedures, escape routes, shelters etc. in case of emergency. Proposals for papers are welcome from all areas addressing issues of tourism in volcanic environments.