Geodiversity, geoconservation and geotourism in Hong Kong Global Geopark of China

In addition to being an international financial center, Hong Kong has rich geodiversity, in terms of a representative and comprehensive system of coastal landscapes, with scientific value in the study of Quaternary global sea-level changes, and esthetic, recreational and cultural value for tourism. The value of the coastal landscapes in Hong Kong was globally recognized when Hong Kong Global Geopark (HKGG), which was developed under the well-established framework of Hong Kong Country Parks and Marine Parks, was accepted in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) in 2011. With over 30 years of experience gained from managing protected areas and a concerted effort to develop geoconservation and geotourism, HKGG has reached a mature stage of development and can provide a well-developed example of successful geoconservation and geotourism in China. This paper analyzes the geodiversity, geoconservation and geotourism of HKGG. The main accomplishments summarized in this paper are efficient conservation management, an optimized tourism infrastructure, a strong scientific interpretation system, mass promotion and education materials, active exchange with other geoparks, continuous training, and effective collaboration with local communities. This useful information for preserving geoheritage and developing geotourism can help geoparks in the primary stage of development in China and other countries. (C) 2015 The Geologists' Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.