Geotourism Potential in Southern Calabria: Insights from the First Thematic Map of the Southernmost Part of the Italian Peninsula

Purpose - Southern Calabria represents one of the most geologically complex and diverse regions of the Mediterranean. Despite this exceptional geological richness, its geoheritage remains only partially documented and poorly integrated into structured geotourism strategies. In many Mediterranean regions, geotourism has proven to be an effective tool for sustainable territorial development, environmental education, and heritage protection, yet Southern Calabria still lacks a comprehensive and systematic geotouristic framework. The purpose of this study is to address this gap by presenting the first integrated geotouristic assessment of the southernmost part of the Italian Peninsula. Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on more than 10 years of extensive field surveys combined with the construction of a GIS-based geodatabase designed to systematically store, organize, and analyze geotouristic information. Nearly 200 geosites were identified and classified according to their geological setting, typology, accessibility, and relationship with human activities. The geodatabase was used to produce a digital geotouristic map and four thematic maps focusing on site density, distribution per municipality, geological environment, and accessibility. Spatial and geostatistical analyses were applied to evaluate clustering patterns, spatial connectivity, and relationships between geosites and major geological domains. Originality/value - This work represents the first thematic geotouristic map of Southern Calabria and one of the most comprehensive geoheritage assessments conducted in Southern Italy. The integration of long-term fieldwork, GIS-based analysis, and geoethical principles provides a transferable methodological model for geotourism studies in geologically complex regions. The results offer a solid foundation for future research, including the expansion of the geosite inventory and the development of multi-scalar geotourism networks. Practical implications - The results highlight a strongly heterogeneous spatial distribution of geosites, with high densities and easy accessibility along the Tyrrhenian coast, and fewer but more specialized sites in inland and mountainous areas. This configuration supports diversified geotourism strategies, ranging from inclusive coastal itineraries to experiential inland routes. The thematic maps provide practical tools for sustainable geotourism planning, risk awareness, and inter-municipality cooperation, contributing to the responsible valorization and long-term protection of Calabria’s geoheritage.