Definition of Scientific Tourism

Scientific tourism is a form of travel whose main objective is the acquisition or dissemination of scientific knowledge in the destinations visited. It is a modality that seeks to bring visitors closer to the places where it is carried out or has been carried out. scientific research or, to propose an approach to the scientific knowledge that exists on that place. Visits to museums, interpretation centers, planetariums, observatories, protected natural areas such as national parks and reserves are frequent experiences within tourism proposals scientist.

Travel is an excellent opportunity to discover new places and cultures. Some tourists are curious to learn as much as possible about the place they visit, its customs and its people. However, on many occasions, the entire sphere of scientific knowledge about that place is beyond the reach of a person without adequate training to understand it. Some examples of this knowledge that is not often found in an Internet search on the destination have to do with the geological past of the place, the fossil and archaeological heritage, the environment, the flora and fauna that inhabit. This knowledge is not necessarily difficult to understand, but requires that a person specialized in that scientific area explain it to us in a simple and entertaining way.

In general, these types of activities are in charge of a guide or instructor specialized in some scientific discipline or even, it may be the case that it is the scientists themselves who are the guides.

For its part, the trips made by professionals to carry out their research can be interpreted as scientific tourism, but a difference must be made: It is not about the tourism that scientists do to carry out their research (which we could more appropriately call scientific expeditions or research campaigns). research), but it is an activity for all people, with or without scientific training, who are interested in learning about the destination explored.

In summary, scientific tourism is all tourist activity that involves the transmission or generation of scientific knowledge and is a way of bringing science closer to society and to promote critical thinking and scientific vocations through an activity that we all enjoy (traveling and seeing places) and in a pleasant and entertaining.

Modalities of scientific tourism

There are different types of scientific tourism depending on the area of ​​interest, the degree of participation and the profile of the travellers.

Astrotourism or astronomical tourism: it is based on the observation of the night sky, the stars, constellations, planets. They are also interesting phenomena such as eclipses, the passage of comets or the alignment of the orbit of the planets. The activity requires a guide specialized in astronomical observation.

The best places for astronomical observation are places far from cities, places with little light and atmospheric pollution. Observation can be done with the naked eye, with amateur equipment, or by visiting an astronomical observatory.

Geotourism or geological tourism: focuses on the observation of the forms and processes of the Earth, such as mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, rivers, caves or fossils. Geotourism activities can include anything from visiting rock and mineral museums to visiting and observing sites of geological interest. Some examples of these sites are volcanoes, glaciers, and large rivers.

Beyond these sites, geotourism can be done anywhere, since each one has geological characteristics. individuals that may not be as spectacular as a volcano or a glacier, but it is a way of appreciating nature and the environment local. Closely related to geotourism is paleotourism or paleontological tourism, whose appeal lies in visiting fossil deposits and in observing and interpreting fossils.

Observation of flora and fauna and environmental interpretation: it focuses on the observation of the biodiversity and local ecosystems, such as rainforests, coral reefs, savannahs or tundras. This is one of the most popular and traditional modalities of scientific tourism.

In all these activities, the role of the guides or coordinators (remember, they should always be people with training specialized in that area of ​​knowledge) is to expose the knowledge in a clear and suitable way for the non-public scientist. If it is necessary to make observations, the guide will be the one who will explain the technique and help to manipulate the instruments to achieve a successful observation.

Occasionally, proposals can be found where the visitor is actively involved in some investigation (such as, for example, doing measurements or collect samples, always under the coordination of a specialist) or participate in conservation initiatives through volunteers. This type of volunteering is frequent in natural areas.

Scientific tourism and environmental education

Scientific tourism activities are a useful environmental education tool, as it is a fun way to learn to value the richness of the environment and local culture and thus, through knowledge and enjoyment, promote their conservation.

It also makes a valuable contribution by bringing science closer to society, and in some cases, as we have seen, it involves citizens in scientific initiatives. Scientific tourism can help foster scientific curiosity among visitors and promote the scientific knowledge of the locals (because, in the end, accounts, they will be in charge of "showing and explaining" the place where they live) and promotes respect for and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of a destination. It is also a sustainable economic alternative, since scientific tourism activities are generally carried out carried out in nature, so they are planned so that the negative effects on the environment are minimal possible.