Utilization of the Potential of Geoparks in the Czech Republic in the Field of Local and Regional Development

This bachelor's thesis focuses on geoparks in the Czech Republic and their contributions to regional and local development, including tourism. The aim of the thesis is to assess the level of cooperation between relevant stakeholders and geoparks at the local, regional, national, and international levels and to evaluate whether the potential of this cooperation is fully utilized in the context of sustainable development. In the first part of the thesis, individual geoparks and their attractions will be introduced, including tourism-related indicators. Furthermore, relevant stakeholders operating within geopark territories or actively cooperating with them will be identified, and semi-structured interviews will be conducted with them (e.g., representatives of municipalities, destination management organizations (DMOs), local action groups (LAGs), and tourist information centres). The context of local, regional, and national policies will be outlined, as well as cooperation within the Association of National Geoparks and between geoparks in the Czech Republic. Additionally, the international cooperation of geoparks, participation in foreign projects, and the possibility of joining the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and its benefits will be presented. In conclusion, recommendations will be formulated to maximize the potential of stakeholder cooperation within geoparks and their benefits for regional and local development, including tourism.