ABSTRACT
Geomorphosites are landforms that are considered as heritage sites. They may have several values, one being their esthetic character, which may explain why, in many countries, they are recognized as natural monuments. The esthetic character of geomorphosites often plays a key role in developing geotourism aimed at enhancing the geographical character of a place, as geomorphosites are landscape elements that attract tourism. On the other hand, their esthetic character may mask their interest for the reconstruction of the history of the Earth, which is at a core of a more history oriented geotourism aimed at explaining the Earth’s history and processes. This chapter discusses the issue of the esthetic dimension of geomorphosites, and its importance for geotourism, and illustrates it with two examples: glacier tourism and geocultural sites.
