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Integration of the geomorphological environment and cultural heritage for tourism promotion and hazard prevention

Welcome addresses

Call for papers

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Background

The Maltese Islands, situated in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, have always attracted ancient civilizations and European powers. In fact, Malta's strategic location has contributed to its rich history and wealth of cultural heritage. Being at the crossroads of maritime routes, the Islands have been colonized since 5200 BC, thus boasting over 7000 years of history. Malta today has a population which slightly exceeds 400,000 and has become a member state of the European Union since 1st May 2004.

This Workshop comprises the first initiative undertaken in Malta to discuss issues regarding the cultural heritage and a distinct type of tourism, conscious of the geomorphological environment and carried out in safe conditions. The Maltese Islands provide the ideal location for this event due to the rich cultural heritage left by the different civilizations which occupied the Islands. Moreover, although the Islands are intensively built up, they still conserve remarkable geomorphological features, especially at the coastal zone, which is highly frequented by tourists and locals.

Aims

The Workshop will provide the opportunity to present current research on the relationships that exist between the geomorphological environment, cultural heritage and tourism promotion both in Malta and at an international level. A round-table discussion is being proposed to put forward ideas and other initiatives of research collaboration with local institutions. Top level international scientists have been invited to deliver speeches related to the topic, so as to share experiences, especially from a European context, that could be helpful for Maltese planners and decision-makers to promote geotourism and cultural heritage. Selected papers from other scientists will also be presented during the Workshop.

Workshop themes

The Workshop themes are related to issues concerning the safeguarding of the geomorphological environment and cultural heritage for tourism promotion in safe conditions. The following is a list of topics, which although not exhaustive, constitutes the main aspects which will be discussed during the Workshop:

relationship between the geomorphological environment and cultural heritage
prevention and mitigation of geomorphological hazards effecting cultural heritage
geomorphological hazards related to the coastal environment
hazard prevention for safe tourism
the role of geosites in tourism promotion

Organising istitutions

Scientific and Organising Committee

Sarah BUHAGIAR (University of Malta)
Paola CORATZA (Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia)
Anna Maria DI MARCO (Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Malta)
Odette MAGRI (University of Malta)
Alessandro PASUTO (CNR Padova)
John A. SCHEMBRI (University of Malta)
Mauro SOLDATI (Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia)

Contact persons

For further information regarding the Workshop please contact:
Paola CORATZA (paola.coratza@unimore.it)

The Workshop is being held under the Auspices of the following institutions:

Ambasciata d'Italia - Malta	Heritage Malta	Malta Tourism Authority

International Association of Geomorphologists	Associazione Italiana Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia	Associazione Italiana Geologia e Turismo