Insular Geoparks as Catalysts for Sustainable Local Development: A Bibliometric and Critical Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.057Keywords:
Insular Geoparks, Local Development, Geotourism, Bibliometric Analysis, Critical Review, Island Communities, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
This study examines the role of Insular Geoparks in stimulating local development within island communities. The study combines bibliometric analysis of 176 peer-reviewed articles (2004-2023) from Scopus and Web of Science databases, and critical review of empirical studies across 20 Insular Geoparks globally. The Bibliometrix R-Tool was employed for science mapping, including keyword co-occurrence networks, citation analysis, and research trend identification. Insular Geoparks simultaneously contribute to economic diversification, social cohesion, and environmental conservation through geotourism, geobranding, geogastronomy, and geoeducation initiatives. However, significant variations exist in development outcomes based on community engagement levels, governance structures, and stakeholder participation mechanisms. Communities with robust co-management frameworks and inclusive decision-making processes demonstrate relatively greater socio-economic benefits. The review reveals critical methodological limitations in existing research, including absence of control groups, predominance of descriptive studies, limited interdisciplinary perspectives, and geographical concentration in Asia-Pacific and European networks. The findings suggest that reported impacts may be confounded by external factors, necessitating more rigorous causal inference methodologies. This is the first comprehensive bibliometric and critical analysis synthesizing global Insular Geopark research. It identifies critical research gaps, proposes methodological innovations including difference-in-difference approaches and randomized control trials, and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, geopark managers, and local communities to maximize local development outcomes.
References
Alfaritzy, M. I. (2021). Geoproducts as a breakthrough in improving the community’s economic level. Novateur Publication, 2021, pp. 27-31.
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959-975.
Atkins, J. P., Mazzi, S., & Easter, C. D. (2000). A Commonwealth vulnerability index for developing countries. London: Commonwealth Secretariat, Economic Paper, 40.
Azman, N., Halim, S. A., Liu, O. P., & Komoo, I. (2011). The Langkawi Global Geopark: local community’s perspectives on public education. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 17(3), 261-279.
Burlando, M., Firpo, M., Queirolo, C., Rovere, A. and Vacchi, M. (2011). From geoheritage to sustainable development: strategies and perspectives in the Beigua Geopark (Italy). Geoheritage, 3, pp.63-72.
Crawley, M. J. (2012). The R book. John Wiley & Sons.
Diem, A., & Wolter, S. C. (2013). The use of bibliometrics to measure research performance in education sciences. Research in Higher Education, 54(1), 86-114.
Durán-Sánchez, A., Álvarez-García, J., & del Río-Rama, M. D. L. C. (2018). Sustainable water resources management: A bibliometric overview. Water, 10(9), 1191.
Falagas, M. E., Karavasiou, A. I., & Bliziotis, I. A. (2006). A bibliometric analysis of global trends of research productivity in tropical medicine. Acta Tropica, 99(2-3), 155-159.
Fan, P. Y., He, Q., & Tao, Y. Z. (2023). Identifying research progress, focuses, and prospects of local climate zone (LCZ) using bibliometrics and critical reviews. Heliyon, 9(3), e14067.
Farsani, N. T., Coelho, C., & Costa, C. (2011). Geotourism and Geoparks as novel strategies for socio‐economic development in rural areas. International Journal of Tourism Research, 13(1), 68-81.
Farsani, N.T., Mortazavi, M., Bahrami, A., Kalantary, R. and Bizhaem, F. K. (2017). Traditional crafts: a tool for geo-education in geotourism. Geoheritage, 9, pp.577-584.
Fassoulas, C. & Zouros, N. (2010). Evaluating the influence of Greek Geoparks to the local communities. Bull. Geol. Soc. Greece, XLIII (2), 896-906.
Freire, J. and Crowther, D. (2007). Tourism Industry Working Practices and Its Impact on a Geo‐brand Image. Social Responsibility Journal, 3(2), pp.73-81.
Frey, M. L. (2021). Geotourism—Examining tools for sustainable development. Geosciences, 11(1), 30.
Garfield, E., & Sher, I. H. (1993). Keywords Plus [TM]-algorithmic derivative indexing. Journal of the American Society For Information Science, 44, 298-298.
Garnett, S. T., Crowley, G. M., Hunter‐Xenie, H., Kozanayi, W., Sithole, B., Palmer, C., ... & Zander, K. K. (2009). Transformative knowledge transfer through empowering and paying community researchers. Biotropica, 41(5), 571-577.
Gorraiz, J., & Schloegl, C. (2008). A bibliometric analysis of pharmacology and pharmacy journals: Scopus versus Web of Science. Journal of Information Science, 34(5), 715-725.
Halim, S. A., & Ishak, N. A. (2017). Examining community engagement in heritage conservation through Geopark experiences from the Asia Pacific region. Kajian Malaysia, 35, 11-38.
Halim, S. A., Unjah, T., Ahmad, N., & Komoo, I. (2022). Understanding Micro-experiences of Heritage Conservation in an Island-based Tourism Development: A Case of Kubang Badak BioGeoTrail, Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, Kedah, Malaysia. In Conserving Biocultural Landscapes in Malaysia and Indonesia for Sustainable Development (pp. 111-126). Singapore: Springer Singapore.
Halim, S.A., Komoo, I., Salleh, H. and Omar, M. (2011). The Geopark as a potential tool for alleviating community marginality. Shima, 5(1).
Han, J., Wu, F., Tian, M. and Li, W. (2018). From Geopark to Sustainable Development: Heritage Conservation and Geotourism Promotion in the Huangshan UNESCO Global Geopark (China). Geoheritage, 10 (1), 79–91.
Hashim, H. S., Aziz, S., & Aziz, R. A. (2011). Conservation with development: showcasing Langkawi Geopark. Planning Malaysia, (1).
Henriques, M. H., & Brilha, J. (2017). UNESCO Global Geoparks: A strategy towards global understanding and sustainability. Episodes Journal of International Geoscience, 40(4), pp.349-355.
Hirsch, J. E. (2005). An index to quantify an individual's scientific research output. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 102(46), 16569-16572.
Hu, X., Ji, Z., Gu, S., Ma, Z., Yan, Z., Liang, Y., ... & Liang, H. (2022). Mapping the research on desulfurization wastewater: Insights from a bibliometric review (1991–2021). Chemosphere, 137678.
Ibrahim, M. S. N., Abdul-Halim, S., Ishak, M. Y., & Hassan, S. (2021). The local community awareness on Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark status: case of Kampung Padang Puteh, Langkawi, Malaysia. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 9(2), 233-241.
Ibrahim, M. S. N., Halim, S. A., & Ishak, M. Y. (2019). The impacts of tourism development on community well-being in Langkawi: The case of Kampung Padang Puteh, Mukim Kedawang. Journal of Marine and Island Cultures, 8(2), 61-88.
Insani, N., Narmaditya, B. S., Habibi, M. M., A’Rachman, F. R., & Majid, Z. (2023). Prospect and challenges with penta helix model for UNESCO Global Geopark and local economic development: a lesson from Indonesia. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 46(1), 156-162.
Jaafar, M., Marzuki, A., & Bakri, N. M. (2012). Product development and sustainable rural tourism: The case of Kilim Geopark, Langkawi. Current issues in hospitality and tourism research and innovations, 471.
Jackson, R. (2006). Bruny on the brink: governance, gentrification and tourism on an Australian island. Island Studies Journal, 1(2), pp.201-222.
Jeon, Y., Koh, J. G., & Southcott, D. (2023). A case study of Geopark activation through Geobranding and Geotrails at the Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Republic of Korea. Episodes Journal of International Geoscience, 46(2), 211-227.
Khodayar, S., Dowling, R., & Willson, G. (2023). Residents’ Perceptions of Geotourism in Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Iran. In Geotourism in the Middle East (pp. 97-107). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Komoo, I. (2010). Geopark sebagai peraga pembangunan lestari wilayah. Akademika, 80, pp.9-18.
Lee, Y., & Jayakumar, R. (2021). Economic impact of UNESCO Global Geoparks on local communities: Comparative analysis of three UNESCO Global Geoparks in Asia. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 9(2), 189-198.
Maditati, D. R., Munim, Z. H., Schramm, H. J., & Kummer, S. (2018). A review of green supply chain management: From bibliometric analysis to a conceptual framework and future research directions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 139, 150-162.
Mason, P. (2008). Tourism impacts, planning and management. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann
McKeever, P. J., & Zouros, N. (2005). Geoparks: Celebrating Earth heritage, sustaining local communities. Episodes Journal of International Geoscience, 28(4), 274-278.
Morvant-Roux, S., Guérin, I., Roesch, M., & Moisseron, J. Y. (2014). Adding value to randomization with qualitative analysis: the case of microcredit in rural Morocco. World Development, 56, 302-312.
Ng, S. L. (2014). Hong Kong Geopark: a paradigm of urban sustainable tourism. Asian Geographer, 31(1), 83-96.
Otokiti, K. V. (2026). Comparative assessment of vulnerability among small island developing states using a composite index. Critical Insights in Climate Change, 2(1), 2646250.
Otokiti, K. V., Gourzis, K., & Kizos, T. (2026). Touristification dynamics in Greek Islands: a composite index approach. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Horizons, 1-24.
Pediaditi, K., & Moquay, P. (2022). Landscape injustices in polarised communities: unearthing perceptions at Sitia UNESCO Geopark, Greece. Landscape Research, 47(6), 767-782.
Popa, R., Popa, A. D., & Andrăşanu, A. (2017). The SEA and Big-S Models for Managing Geosites as Resources for Local Communities in the Context of Rural Geoparks. Geoheritage, 9, 175–186.
Richards, G., & Hall, D. R. (2003). The community: a sustainable concept in tourism development. In Richards, G., & Hall, D. R. (Eds.). Tourism and sustainable community development (Vol. 7). Psychology Press.
Rodrigues, J., de Carvalho, C.N., Ramos, M., Ramos, R., Vinagre, A. and Vinagre, H. (2021). Geoproducts–Innovative development strategies in UNESCO Geoparks: Concept, implementation methodology, and case studies from Naturtejo Global Geopark, Portugal. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 9(1), pp.108-128.
Rosado-González, E.M., Sá, A.A. and Palacio-Prieto, J. L. (2020). UNESCO global Geoparks in Latin America and the Caribbean, and their contribution to Agenda 2030 sustainable development goals. Geoheritage, 12, pp.1-15.
Royle, S. A. (2008). From marginality to resurgence. Shima: the international journal of research into island cultures, 2(2), pp.42-55.
Sagala, S., Rosyidie, A., Sasongko, M. A., & Syahbid, M. M. (2018, May). Who gets the benefits of Geopark establishment? A study of Batur Geopark Area, Bali Province, Indonesia. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 158, No. 1, p. 012034). IOP Publishing.
Shahhoseini, H., Modabberi, S., & Shahabi, M. (2017). Study of factors influencing the attitude of local people toward geotourism development in Qeshm National Geopark, Iran. Geoheritage, 9, 35-48.
Tirtakusuma, A. E., Murakami, K., & Herwangi, Y. (2021). Statistical Analysis on Coastal Tourism for Sustainable Development-A Case Study at Gunung Sewu Global Geopark in Gunungkidul Regency, Indonesia. Departmental Bulletin Paper (1).
UGGp (2023). https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/geoparks
UNDP. (2022). Human Development Insights. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks
UNESCO. (2015). Statutes of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP/2015/ST). Available: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260675.page=4
Wang, J., & Zouros, N. (2021). Educational Activities in Fangshan UNESCO Global Geopark and Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark. Geoheritage, 13(3), 51.
Wójtowicz, B., Strachowka, R. and Strzyz, M. (2011). The perspectives of the development of tourism in the areas of Geoparks in Poland. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences, 19, pp.150-157.
Yoon, Y., Gursoy, D. and Chen, J. S. (2001). Validating a tourism development theory with structural equation modeling. Tourism Management, 22(4), pp.363-372.
Yuliawati, A.K., Rofaida R., Gautama B.P., Aryanti A.N. (2019). Coffee as geo-product of a small island Geopark increasing livelihood in a local community-A study in Belitung Island. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 9, 6 p.
Yuliawati, A. K., Rofaida, R., Gautama, B. P., & Hadian, M. S. D. (2018, May). Geoproduct development as part of geotourism at Geopark Belitong. In 1st International Conference on Economics, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Finance (ICEBEF 2018) (pp. 110-112). Atlantis Press.
Zhang, J., Yu, Q., Zheng, F., Long, C., Lu, Z., & Duan, Z. (2016). Comparing keywords plus of WOS and author keywords: A case study of patient adherence research. Journal of the association for information science and technology, 67(4), 967-972.
Zouros, N. (2004). The European Geoparks Network-Geological heritage protection and local development. Episodes Journal of International Geoscience, 27(3), 165-171.
Zouros, N. C. (2010). The Petrified Forest of Lesvos: A Unique Natural Monument. Natural Heritage from East to West: Case studies from 6 EU countries, 15-26.
Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational research methods, 18(3), 429-472.
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
Data Availability Statement
Not Applicable
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Kolade Victor Otokiti (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
