Geosites and Geotourism in the Local Development of Communities of the Andes Mountains. A Case Study

The inventory and assessment of a geosite in territory provides sound basis for the protection use its geological heritage. This article aims to evaluate most relevant geosites province Chimborazo (Ecuador), applying Spanish Inventory Sites Geological Interest (IELIG, Spanish) method, proposing alternatives geotourism development studied area. methodological process was based on: (i) preliminary selection geosites; (ii) semi-quantitative proposal travel itineraries geotourism; (iii) application strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) matrix establish strategies within framework sustainability. global scientific, tourist, academic interests demonstrates that 25% 20 evaluated have very high interest 75% interest. top three with highest degrees are Volcano, known as ‘Earth’s Closest Point Sun’, Pallatanga fault, named Comunidad Cacha. SWOT analysis reveals combine cultural heritage elements could offer real alternative region’s sustainable through geotourism.