Cave tourism in Switzerland: The assessment and implications for subterranean geoheritage sustainability

Addesso, R., Baldantoni, D., Cubero, B., De La Rosa, J. M., González Pérez, J. A., Tiago, I., ..., & Miller, A. Z. (2023). A multidisciplinary approach to the comparison of three contrasting treatments on both lampenflora community and underlying rock surface. Biofouling, 39(2), 204–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2023.2202314 Search in Google Scholar

Allan, M. (2011). Toward a better understanding of motivations for a geotourism experience: a self-determination theory perspective. PhD Thesis. Edith Cowan University. Search in Google Scholar

Allan, M. (2014). Geotourism: why do children visit geological tourism sites? Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences, 41(1), 653–66. Search in Google Scholar

Antić, A., Peppoloni, S., & Di Capua, G. (2020). Applying the values of geoethics for sustainable speleotourism development. Geoheritage, 12(3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00504-0 Search in Google Scholar

Antić, A., Tomić, N., & Marković, S. B. (2022). Applying the show cave assessment model (SCAM) on cave tourism destinations in Serbia. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 10(4), 616–634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2022.10.001 Search in Google Scholar

Aubert, D. (1958). Sur l’existence d’une ride de plissement oligocčne dans le Jura vaudois. Bulletin de la Société Neuchâteloise des Sciences Naturelles, 81, 47–54. Search in Google Scholar

Audétat, M., & Heiss, G. (2002). Inventaire Spéléologique de la Suisse: Jura Vaudois, Partie Ouest, Tome 4. Commission de Spéléologie de l’Académie suisse des sciences naturelles. Search in Google Scholar

Baquedano Estevez, C., Moreno Merino, L., de la Losa Román, A., & Duran Valsero, J. J. (2019). The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem. International Journal of Speleology, 48(3), 249–277. https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.48.3.2263 Search in Google Scholar

Bastian, F., & Alabouvette, C. (2009). Lights and shadows on the conservation of a rock art cave: the case of Lascaux Cave. International Journal of Speleology, 38(1), 55–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.38.1.6 Search in Google Scholar

Beerli, P., Dutruit, J., Gonthier, O., Perrin, J., Tacchini, P. (1999). Grottes de St-Maurice et environs. Bulletin du Groupe Spéléo Lausanne, 63, 24–38. Search in Google Scholar

Bourges, F., Genthon, P., Genty, D., Lorblanchet, M., Mauduit, E., & d’Hulst, D. (2014). Conservation of prehistoric caves and stability of their inner climate: Lessons from Chauvet and other French caves. Science of the Total Environment, 493, 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.137 Search in Google Scholar

Braholli, E., Jashiku, E., & Menkshi, E. (2023). Assessment of the geoheritage of Prespa National Park in Albania for the development of geotourism. In Proceeding book of the First International Conference on Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology (ICNSMT-2023), Durrës, Albania, May 26, 2023. Search in Google Scholar

Brilha, J. (2018). Geoheritage: Inventories and Evaluation. In E. Reynard & J. Brilha (Eds.), Geoheritage: assessment, protection, and management (pp. 69–86). Elsevier. Search in Google Scholar

Buchanan, M., Moldovan, O. T., & Antić, A. (2022). White Paper on Responsibile Speleology. IAPG – International Association for Promoting Geoethics. http://www.geoethics.org/wp-responsible-speleology Search in Google Scholar

Buehler, R., Pucher, J., & Dümmler, O. (2019). Verkehrsverbund: The evolution and spread of fully integrated regional public transport in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 13(1), 36–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/15568318.2018.1431821 Search in Google Scholar

Chiarini, V., Duckeck, J., & De Waele, J. (2022). A global perspective on sustainable show cave tourism. Geoheritage, 14, 82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00717-5 Search in Google Scholar

Cigna, A. A. (2016). Tourism and show caves. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, 60(2), 217–233. https://doi.org/10.1127/zfg_suppl/2016/00305 Search in Google Scholar

Cigna, A. A. (2019). Show caves. In W. B. White, D. C. Culver, & T. Pipan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of caves (pp. 909–921). Academic Press. Search in Google Scholar

Cigna, A. A., & Forti, P. (2013). Caves: the most important geotouristic feature in the world. Tourism and Karst areas, 6(1), 9–26. Search in Google Scholar

Cigna, A. A., & Pani, D. (2013). Quality assessment of show caves: The management evaluation index (MEI). Proceedings of the 16^th International Congress of Speleology, Czech Republic, Brno, July 21–28, 2013, (pp. 219–222). Search in Google Scholar

Columbu, A., Calabrò, L., Chiarini, V., & De Waele, J. (2021). Stalagmites: from science application to museumization. Geoheritage, 13, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00573-9 Search in Google Scholar

Constantin, S., Mirea, I. C., Petculescu, A., Arghir, R. A., Măntoiu, D.Ş., Kenesz, M., ..., & Moldovan, O. T. (2021). Monitoring human impact in show caves. A study of four Romanian caves. Sustainability, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041619 Search in Google Scholar

Donato, C. R., Ribeiro, A. D. S., & Souto, L. D. S. (2014). A conservation status index, as an auxiliary tool for the management of cave environments. International Journal of Speleology, 43(3), 315–322. http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.43.3.8 Search in Google Scholar

Dowling, R. K. (2013). Global Geotourism – An Emerging Form of Sustainable Tourism. Czech Journal of Tourism, 2(2), 59–79. https://doi.org/10.2478/cjot-2013-0004 Search in Google Scholar

Fairchild, I. J., & Baker, A. (2012). Speleothem science: from process to past environments. John Wiley & Sons. Search in Google Scholar

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. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.800 Search in Google Scholar

Garin, M. (1985). Les moulins souterrains du Col-des-Roches. Unsere Kunstdenkmäler, 36(2), 155–160. Search in Google Scholar

Garofano, M., & Govoni, D. (2012). Underground geotourism: A historic and economic overview of show caves and show mines in Italy. Geoheritage, 4(1), 79–92. 10.1007/s12371-012-0055-3 Search in Google Scholar

Gauchon, C., Ployon, E., Delannoy, J. J., Hacquard, S., Hobléa, F., Jaillet, S., & Perrette, Y. (2006). The concepts of heritage and heritage resource applied to karsts: protecting the Choranche caves (Vercors, France). Acta Carsologica, 35, 2–3. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v35i2-3.226 Search in Google Scholar

Gigon, R., & Wenger, R. (1986). Inventaire spéléologique de la Suisse, Tome II, Canton du Jura. In Inventaire spéléologiques de la suisse: Vol. II (p. 229). Schweizerische Akademie der Naturwissenschaften. Search in Google Scholar

Gillieson, D. S., Gunn, J., Auler, A., & Bolger, T. (2022). Guidelines for cave and karst protection, 2^nd Edition. International Union of Speleology (UIS), Postojna, Slovenia. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Search in Google Scholar

Gonseth, M. O., Müller, V., & Yazgi, N. (2002). Le désir de musée. Ethnologie française, 37(2), 321–333. Search in Google Scholar

Grotte aux fées (2024). https://www.grotteauxfees.ch Search in Google Scholar

Harmon, R. S., Schwarcz, H. P., Gascoyne, M., Hess, J. W., & Ford, D. C. (2004). Paleoclimate information from speleothems: the present as a guide to the past. In Studies of Cave Sediments: Physical and Chemical Records of Paleoclimate (pp. 199–226). Springer. Search in Google Scholar

Häuselmann, P. (2002). Cave genesis and its relationship to surface processes. PhD Thesis, University of Freiburg. Search in Google Scholar

Häuselmann, P. (2021). The Karst System Siebenhengste-Hohgant-Schrattenfluh. In E. Reynard (Ed.), Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland (pp. 143–157). Springer. Search in Google Scholar

Heierli, H. (2001). Geologische Anmerkungen zu den Exkursionen anlässlich der Jahresversammlung des Schweizerischen Forstvereins 2001 in Herisau. Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen, 152(7), 320–327. Search in Google Scholar

Hennig, G. J., Grün, R., & Brunnacker, K. (1983). Speleothems, travertines, and paleoclimates. Quaternary Research, 20(1), 1–29. Search in Google Scholar

Höllgrotten (2024). https://www.hoellgrotten.ch/en/caves.html Search in Google Scholar

Hurtado, H., Dowling, R., & Sanders, D. (2014). An exploratory study to develop a geotourism typology model. International Journal of Tourism Research, 16(6), 608–613. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1954 Search in Google Scholar

International Show Cave Association (2024). www.i-s-c-a.org Search in Google Scholar

Jaya, A., Sumantri, I., Bachri, D. I., & Maulana, B. R. (2022). Understanding and quantitative evaluation of geosites and geodiversity in Maros-Pangkep, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Geoheritage, 14(2), 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00678-9 Search in Google Scholar

Jeannin, P. Y. (2016). Main karst and caves of Switzerland. Boletín geológico y minero, 127(1), 45–46. https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.127.1.003 Search in Google Scholar

Kim, S. S., Kim, M., Park, J., & Guo, Y. (2008). Cave tourism: Tourists’ characteristics, motivations to visit, and the segmentation of their behavior. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 13(3), 299–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941660802280448 Search in Google Scholar

Kristallhoehle (2024). https://www.kristallhoehle.ch Search in Google Scholar

Lachniet, M. S. (2009). Climatic and environmental controls on speleothem oxygen-isotope values. Quaternary Science Reviews, 28, 412–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.10.021 Search in Google Scholar

Lobo, H. A. S., Trajano, E., de Alcântara Marinho, M., Bichuette, M. E., Scaleante, J. A. B., Scaleante, O. A. F., ..., & Laterza, F. V. (2013). Projection of tourist scenarios onto fragility maps: Framework for determination of provisional tourist carrying capacity in a Brazilian show cave. Tourism Management, 35, 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.07.008 Search in Google Scholar

Mahato, M. K., & Jana, N. C. (2021). Exploring the potential for development of Geotourism in Rarh Bengal, Eastern India using M-GAM. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 9(3), 313–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2021.05.002 Search in Google Scholar

Mariétan, I. (1936). Notes de sciences naturelles sur la région de St-Maurice. Bulletin de la Murithienne, (54), 25-43. Search in Google Scholar

Mulec, J. (2019). Lampenflora. In W. B. White, D. C. Culver, & T. Pipan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of caves (pp. 635–641). Academic Press. Search in Google Scholar

Nehme, C., Delannoy, J. J., Adjizian-Gérard, J., & Jaillet, S. (2012). Geomorphology research in Jeita cave, Lebanon: speleogenesis study for a scientific valorization of a touristic cave. In Poster Session, International Congress on scientific research in Show Caves, 13–15 September, 2012, Karst Research Institute ZRC Sazu, Slovenia. Search in Google Scholar

Nicod, J. (1998). Les grottes: rétrospective historique et insertion des grottes-aménagées dans l’espace géographique. Annales de géographie, 603, 508–530. Search in Google Scholar

Novas, N., Gázquez, J. A., MacLennan, J., García, R. M., Fernández-Ros, M., & Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2017). A real-time underground environment monitoring system for sustainable tourism of caves. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142, 2707–2721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.005 Search in Google Scholar

Pál, M., & Albert, G. (2018). Comparison of geotourism assessment models: and experiment in Bakony–Balaton UNSECO Global Geopark, Hungary. Acta Geoturistica, 9(2), 1–13. https://geotur.fberg.tuke.sk/pdf/2018/n2/01_Marton_v9_n2.pdf Search in Google Scholar

Pancza (2001). Les moulins souterrains du Col-des-Roches. In E. Reynard, C. Holzmann, D. Guex & N. Summermatter (Eds.), Géomorphologie et Tourisme (pp. 167–176). Institut de Géographie de l’Université de Lausanne. Search in Google Scholar

Pfendler, S., Karimi, B., Maron, P. A., Ciadamidaro, L., Valot, B., Bousta, F., ..., & Aleya, L. (2018). Biofilm biodiversity in French and Swiss show caves using the metabarcoding approach: First data. Science of the Total Environment, 615, 1207–1217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.054 Search in Google Scholar

Piano, E., Mammola, S., Nicolosi, G., & Isaia, M. (2024). Advancing tourism sustainability in show caves. Cell Reports Sustainability, 1(3), 100057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100057 Search in Google Scholar

Piano, E., Nicolosi, G., & Isaia, M. (2021). Modulating lighting regime favours a sustainable use of show caves: a case study in NW-Italy. Journal for Nature Conservation, 64, 126075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126075 Search in Google Scholar

Pittard, J. J., & Della Santa, J. (1943). La grotte et le lac souterrain de Saint-Léonard (Valais). Revue Polytechnique, 959. Search in Google Scholar

Popović, S. S., Nikolić, N. V., Pećić, M. N., Anđelković, A. A., & Simić, G. V. S. (2023). First report on a 5-year monitoring of lampenflora in a famous show cave in Serbia. Geoheritage, 15(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00771-z Search in Google Scholar

Pralong, J. P. (2006). Géotourisme et utilisation de sites naturels d’intérêt pour les sciences de la Terre: les régions de Crans-Montana-Sierre (Valais, Alpes suisses) et Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie, Alpes françaises). PhD Thesis. University of Lausanne. Search in Google Scholar

Reinhart, H., Rafida, M. R., Sofie, T., Putra, R. D., Matoka, M. C. R., Maulita, N. S., & Baiquni, M. (2023). Assessment of geological diversity, geosites, and geotourism potencies at Menoreh Mountain for designation of geopark area. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 11(3), 385–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2023.05.005 Search in Google Scholar

Reynard, E. (Ed.) (2021). Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland. Springer. Search in Google Scholar

Reynard, E., Berger, J. P., Constandache, M., Felber, M., Grangier, L., Häuselmann, P., ... & Martin, S. (2012). Révision de l’inventaire des géotopes suisses: rapport final. Groupe de travail pour les géotopes en Suisse. Search in Google Scholar

Reynard, E., Fontana, G., Kozlik, L., & Scapozza, C. (2007). A method for assessing “scientific” and “additional values” of geomorphosites. Geographica Helvetica, 62(3), 148–158. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-148-2007 Search in Google Scholar

Reynard, E., & Schoeneich, P. (2021). Structural and Karstic Landscapes of the Joux Valley (Southwestern Jura). In E. Reynard (Ed.), Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland (pp. 97–110). Springer. Search in Google Scholar

Rodrigues, J., de Carvalho, C. N., Ramos, M., Ramos, R., Vinagre, A., & 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), 108–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2020.12.003 Search in Google Scholar

Schlüchter, C., Akçar, N., & Ivy-Ochs, S. (2021). The Quaternary period in Switzerland. In E. Reynard (Ed.), Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland (pp. 47–69). Springer. Search in Google Scholar

Schoellammer, P. (1997). Recherche des signatures paléoclimatiques dans les remplissages lacustres fini-et postwürmiens du Locle (Neuchâtel, Suisse) et d’Ilay (Jura, France) partir des analyses palynologiques, minéralogiques et géochimiques. PhD Thesis. Université de Neuchâtel. Search in Google Scholar

Shavanddasht, M., Karubi, M., & Sadry, B. N. (2017). An examination of the relationship between cave tourists’ motivations and satisfaction: the case of Alisadr Cave, Iran. GeoJournal of Tourism & Geosites, 20(2), 165–176. Search in Google Scholar

Telbisz, T., & Mari, L. (2020). The significance of karst areas in European national parks and geoparks. Open Geosciences, 12(1), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2020-0008 Search in Google Scholar

Tessema, G. A., Van Der Borg, J., Minale, A. S., Van Rompaey, A., Adgo, E., Nyssen, J., ..., & Poesen, J. (2021). Inventory and assessment of geosites for geotourism development in the Eastern and Southeastern Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia. Geoheritage, 13(2), 43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00560-0 Search in Google Scholar

Theubet, M. (2013). Etude des chiroptčres dans les grottes de Réclčre. Actes de la Société jurassienne d’émulation, 116, 97–111. Search in Google Scholar

Tičar, J., Tomić, N., Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Marković, S. B., & Gavrilov, M. B. (2018). Speleotourism in Slovenia: balancing between mass tourism and geoheritage protection. Open Geosciences, 10(1), 344–357. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2018-0027 Search in Google Scholar

Tomić, N., & Božić, S. (2014). A modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM) and its application on the Lazar Canyon area (Serbia). International Journal of Environmental Research, 8(4), 1041–1052. 10.22059/ijer.2014.798 Search in Google Scholar

Tomić, N., & Košić, K. (2020). Developing the Spa Assessment Model (SAM) and its application on the Kopaonik-Jastrebac spa zone (Serbia). Tourism Management Perspectives, 36, 100753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100753 Search in Google Scholar

Tomić, N., Antić, A., Marković, S. B., Ðorđević, T., Zorn, M., & Valjavec, M. B. (2019). Exploring the potential for speleotourism development in eastern Serbia. Geoheritage, 11, 359–369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-018-0288-x Search in Google Scholar

Tomić, N., Sepehriannasab, B., Marković, S. B., Hao, Q., & Lobo, H. A. S. (2021). Exploring the preferences of Iranian geotourists: case study of shadows Canyon and Canyon of Jinns. Sustainability, 13(2), 798. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020798 Search in Google Scholar

Vaks, A., Bar-Matthews, M., Ayalon, A., Schilman, B., Gilmour, M., Hawkesworth, C. J., ..., & Matthews, A. (2003). Paleoclimate reconstruction based on the timing of speleothem growth and oxygen and carbon isotope composition in a cave located in the rain shadow in Israel. Quaternary Research, 59(2), 182–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0033-5894(03)00013-9 Search in Google Scholar

Vallorbe Caves (2024). https://grottesdevallorbe.ch/en/topographie/ Search in Google Scholar

Vujičić, M. D., Vasiljević, D. A., Marković, S. B., Hose, T. A., Lukić, T., Hadžić, O., & Janićević, S. (2011). Preliminary geosite assessment model (GAM) and its application on Fruška Gora Mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia. Acta Geographica Slovenica, 51(2), 361–376. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS51303 Search in Google Scholar

White, W. B. (2007). Cave sediments and paleoclimate. Journal of Cave and Karst studies, 69(1), 76–93. Search in Google Scholar

Wildberger, A., & Preiswerk, C. (1997). Karst and Caves of Switzerland. Speleo Projects. Search in Google Scholar

Wong, C. I., & Breecker, D. O. (2015). Advancements in the use of speleothems as climate archives. Quaternary Science Reviews, 127, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.07.019 Search in Google Scholar

Woo, K. S., & Kim, L. (2018). Geoheritage evaluation of caves in Korea: a case study of limestone caves. In E. Reynard & J. Brilha (Eds.), Geoheritage: assessment, protection, and management (pp. 373–386). Elsevier. Search in Google Scholar

Wyssling, G., & Eikenberg, J. (2000). Die Höllgrotten bei Baar (Kanton Zug): Entstehungsgeschichte und Altersbestimmungen an Quelltuffen. Naturforschende Gesellschaft. Search in Google Scholar

Zouros, N. (2005). Assessment, protection, and promotion of geomorphological and geological sites in the Aegean area, Greece. Géomorphologie: relief, processus, environnement, 11(3), 227–234. https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.398 Search in Google Scholar