A Mineralogical Museum as a Geotourism Attraction: A Case Study

The Zaruma-Portovelo mining district in Ecuador, and particular, Portovelo City, is home to the oldest museum country. This museum, named Museo Mineralógico Magner Turner (MMMT Spanish), a centre that reflects, through its collections, history culture of this territory. work aimed evaluate MMMT as possible geosite by analysing contributions geomining heritage district, thus, enhance it promote collections geotouristic attraction. involved three phases: (i) describing surroundings; (ii) semiquantitative evaluation using Brilha method geosites assessment model (GAM); (iii) qualitative Delphi SWOT methodologies define strategies proposals for development. results obtained with reflect high scientific (330/400), educational (380/400) touristic (365/400) appeal. applied GAM shows principal additional value, placing Z33 field global valuation matrix. In addition, made describe importance development area. study carried out qualified site an appropriate valuation, example ex-situ geological conservation basis geotourism