The international seminar on "Geoparks in volcanic regions: sustainable development strategies" will be held on the islands of Terceira and Graciosa from October 29 to November 1. The event was disseminated in the European Geoparks Network (EGN) during a meeting held this week in Wernigerode, Germany.

In this context of this international meeting, the Azores will welcome members of the European and Global Geoparks Network as well as internationally renowned experts in Geotourism, such as Jonathan Tourtellot (USA), editor of National Geographic Travel, and Patricia Erfurt- Cooper from James Cook University, Australia.

The international seminar was announced at the EGN meeting by the Regional Director for Tourism, João Bettencourt, and by the Scientific Coordinator of the Azores Geopark, João Carlos Nunes.
During the meeting, the Azores Geopark presented the works developed under the 2014 Portuguese Geoparks Forum, which included the organisation of initiatives such as the publication of a book and the exchange of information on seismovolcanic prevention and emergency.

The Azores Geopark has been the 53rd territory of the European Geoparks Network since the beginning of 2003. It became part of this network due to the relevance of regional geological heritage, the scientific, scenic and educational value, the existence of a rich biodiversity, and a considerable cultural heritage.

The inclusion of the Azores in the EGN boosts local economy by fostering the creation of companies in the area of nature tourism. In addition, the activities developed by the Azores Geopark in collaboration with its partners have contributed to the promotion of the regional geological heritage and geotourism in the Azores.

The production of "Biscuit Bomb," an activity developed by businesspeople from Pico, the organisation of several initiatives under the Living Science - Geology in the summer programme, in partnership with AZORINA and the Regional Directorate for the Environment, and the launch of the Azores Geopark Passport in partnership with the Azores Tourism are some examples of these activities.

The Azores Geopark is mainly disseminated through its Internet page at the following address: www.azoresgeopark.com. Visitors will find, among other things, the list of activities organised by this entity and the monthly newsletter.