Abstract: Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism, focusing on natural areas. Its aim is to fosterenvironmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. Geotourism isecotourism with an added geological theme.Geotourism has great potential as a new niche ecotourism product, but will require the samedisciplines that apply to other niche, "high value" tourism activities. Where ever tourismcontributes a direct environmental benefit to a visited location, its clients gain empathy for theholistic heritage of the area, and this reward creates enhanced customer loyalty to the operator.The Commonwealth Government`s 1994 National Ecotourism Strategy considered thatecotourists may include a mix of independent travelers, people who travel in organised groupsof a scientific, educational ,or recreational nature, and individuals ,or families who are interestedin an ecotourism experience as part of a varied holiday. Whilst based on limited sources, theStrategy then considered that the ecotourist appears to be well educated, professional/semiprofessional, 20-50 years of age, independent and individualistic, looking for alternatives to betraditional tourist destinations and experiences, and with significant spending power.Having regard to demographic and lifestyle considerations, it is hoped that geotourism, ifpositioned as a supplementary, knowledge-adding product within an attractive ecotourismexperience, will attract a different demographic i.e. affluent "over 45 y.o." customers. Thesemay come from amongst geoscience professionals from within these segmentations, as well astheir partners and friends, particularly through alumni and professional societies such as theGeological Society of Australia.Given the relatively small size of the Australian "geoscience interest" market, product contentpackaging will be critical. To address this issue, Leisure Solutions®and the School ofMarketing, Tourism & Leisure at Edith Cowan University are currently undertaking acooperative market research survey of members of the Geological Society of Australia.This paper addresses the rationale for and scope of this research work as well as reviews otheravailable research material which can assist marketers in understanding who are the people mostlikely to be interested in geotourism, as well as introducing some of the preliminary results fromthis study.