3D terrain visualisation and virtual fly-through for tourism conservation using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

Environmental protection and conservation of tourism hot-spots can be controlled through management planning, zoning and permitting. This methodology will allow government bodies and agencies to assess natural and cultural values of a selected area consistently. A common approach to management and control of conservation areas within a tourist hotspot is through the use of a visualisation and spatial analysis techniques within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Visualisation has been the foundation of scientific progress throughout history and with current technology GIS has advanced these visualisation techniques to develop powerful three-dimensional graphical computing environments. This type of GIS planning methodology involves the identification of a range of environmental, social and economic issues that have an influence on a specific tourist location or study area. The general objective of this project is to strengthen tourism planning and conservation through GIS applications such as visualisation, 3D fly-through and spatial analysis. GIS can be regarded as providing a toolbox of techniques and technologies of wide applicability to the achievement of sustainable tourism development (Giles, 2003, p.2). These objectives will be achieved through providing examples of how GIS visualisation and analysis techniques were used within the Currumbin Valley study area, Examples include: - Research and identify suitable and relevant spatial data sets for GIS analysis and modelling ie. Major roads, dwellings, soil coverage, contour data and regional ecosystems; - Use a Global Positioning System (GPS) to identify existing walking tracks; - Develop a 3D model to include a DEM and digital aerial photography of the study area, and; - Create a virtual fly-through that will display existing natural and man-made features, landscape sensitivities, terrain analysis and conservation assessment for an existing tourism area. These visualisation techniques provide GIS users with tools to develop a higher level of thinking and problem solving which in turn will give a better understanding for decisions not only in the tourism and conservation industries but a wide range of planning, environment and engineering projects.