To: self-government activists,
animators of tourism,
non-governmental organizations,
environmentalists, hobbyists,
and enthusiasts of earth sciences ...

Dear Sirs/Madams,

Geotourism – promoted for many years by geologists – is slowly paving its way to the touristic sector in Poland. Unfortunately, it is often perceived as a highly specialized activity, not very much lucrative and frankly speaking – boring ...

It is absolutely unfair! Examples of many countries show how, in seemingly unattractive regions, geological knowledge can help create a fascinating recreational offer which attracts crowds of tourists and brings about considerable economic effects. There have already been as many as thirty-four geoparks  in Europe and none of them seem to be deserted. Although these undertakings are not up to the standards of Disneyland, they give a job to hundreds of local people and bring joy and diffuse knowledge among thousands of tourists.

Anyway, it is not necessary to search for examples abroad. It would be enough to drop in at the Jurassic Park at the village of Bałtów. What gave rise to its establishment was a discovery, by scientists of the Polish Geological Institute, of inconspicuous footprint tracks of dinosaurs remained in the rock. Today, it is a real geotouristic conglomerate which is visited by a few hundred thousand tourists each year. It owes its coming into existence as much to the tracks – that is to the science – as to the commitment of the local businessmen, self-government and ecological activists.

The example of BaÅ‚tów demonstrates it distinctly how important for the development of geotourism is a cooperation of scientists and leaders of local communities. Without synergy, no undertaking in the geotourism sector  – a geopark, geological educational trail, or geotourist site – has no chance to be a genuine success.

And therefore, on behalf of the Polish Geological Institute, I declare substantive assistance in implementing geotourist projects. We put at your disposal all our geological knowledge and experience in designing and organising geotourist undertakings of different kinds. We count on your cooperation, because only joint actions of scientists and local activists can boost the development of geotourism in Poland. And it is really worthwhile developing this beautiful and interesting field of sightseeing!

With sincere geological regards,

Yours faithfully,