Volcanic geomorphosites, places of geotouristic interest and geo-routes in La Palma (Canary, Spain)

Tourism is one of the economic activities of reference throughout the world despite the consequences of SARS-CoV-2. Within the new tourism products, geotourism is a relatively new modality and alternative to mass tourism in mature destinations. One example of this is the creation and rise of the global and European networks of geoparks. In the case of the Canary Islands, this fact can also be seen in the increase in tourist activities related to volcano tourism as an alternative product to sun and beach tourism. In this sense, the main objective of this study is to identify, inventory, select, characterize and evaluate geomorphosites with geotouristic interest on the Canary Island of La Palma following the methodology proposed by Reynard et al (2007 and 2017), based on the evaluation of scientific and added values. A total of 47 geomorphosites of geotourism interest (Ligts) that host the geodiversity of volcanic and non-volcanic forms and processes of La Palma have been studied. The main results after applying the assessment is that the scientific values ​​(0.53) are above the added values ​​(0.43). Among the first, the paleogeographic interest stands out (0.61) and of the added ones, that of the protection of the site (0.71). All these evaluations show that the geomorphological sites studied are representative of the natural and cultural heritage of La Palma, but also that they are conserved, protected and that they contribute to explain the geological and geomorphological evolution of the island. These aspects are essential to be able in the future to propose itineraries or georoutes of volcano tourist interest.