Geo-tourism in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India- A latent catalyst for business, employment and economic growth

Geotourism encompasses not just the thrill and adventure of tourism but also adds to the preservation of geology, environment, culture and heritage of the area with a sustainable approach leading to regional economic growth. Embedded with a holistic approach to maximize tourism benefit for a community and minimize negative impacts of development in environmentally sensitive region, Geotourism is a potential game changer. Kumaon hills have immense potential for the development of Geotourism as it is a part of the youngest and loftiest mountain chains, the Himalayas, having a unique geological setting. Despite abundance of geodiversity, the area has not yet been explored with regard to its Geotourism potential. This paper contributes to identifying various natural resources of the Kumaon region and establishing a network of geosites which will further act as an influential platform for the young and local entrepreneurs to create profitable and sustainable business ventures. Besides, this paper also suggests ways in which geotourism can propel other forms of tourism in this region.