Samani Hosts Geopark Lecture and Workshop to Rethink Local Heritage Model

Samani Town’s Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division is holding a public lecture and workshop titled Rethinking the Geopark in July 2026, taking a critical look at how the Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark model interacts with tourism and community life on the Hidaka coast.

What is planned

The programme combines a lecture segment on the current state of geopark practice with a workshop where participants can raise questions and propose community-level uses for the geopark designation. It is aimed at residents, business owners and interested visitors.

Why it matters

UNESCO Global Geopark designations require regular renewal reviews. Community-facing reflection sessions like this help build the case for renewal and give residents a chance to shape how the label is used locally rather than treating it as a purely tourism marketing tool.

For international readers

Samani’s willingness to publicly re-examine its own geopark model is unusual and offers a candid look at how a UNESCO designation actually lands in a smaller community.

Source: Samani Town official website, July 11, 2026.