Ecotourism in China, Misuse or Genuine Development? An Analysis Based on Map Browser Results

Yanpeng Li, Lixiang Zhang, Ying Gao, Zhipang Huang, Liangwei Cui, Shuoran Liu, Yihao Fang, Guopeng Ren, Davide Fornacca and Wen Xiao
Additional contact information
Yanpeng Li: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Lixiang Zhang: Forestry Bureau of Yingjiang County, Dehong 679300, China
Ying Gao: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Zhipang Huang: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Liangwei Cui: Faculty of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
Shuoran Liu: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Yihao Fang: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Guopeng Ren: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Davide Fornacca: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
Wen Xiao: Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 18, 1-15

Abstract: Ecotourism is considered to be an effective means of promoting nature conservation and sustainable development in less developed regions. However, its widespread adoption may be the result of a misunderstanding due to confusion about definitions and interpretations. Using web map browsers, we assessed the distribution pattern of ecotourism sites in both number and density in the 31 provinces of mainland China, and found that it positively correlated with gross domestic products (GDP) and population size, showing spatial dynamics similar to the general tourism model. However, negative-weak or no correlation at all was found with the presence and size of nature variables such as protected areas. These results support previous suspicions that the term ecotourism and its associated concept may be misused in China and that the regions that could benefit the most from this form of tourism have yet to properly develop it. Although this pattern could reflect a huge demand for genuine ecotourism, we recommend that China, to achieve its ambitious sustainable development goals, adapt ecotourism policies in its environmental and socio-cultural context, manage them with a trans-disciplinary expert board, and regulate its market by introducing a rigorous admittance system with continuous monitoring and evaluation.

Keywords: ecotourism; mass tourism; concept overuse; conservation; admittance system; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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