Research on Climate Change and Water Heritage Tourism Based on the Adaptation Theory—A Case Study of the Grand Canal (Beijing Section)

Jiayu Wang, Menghan Wang, Haohan Dou, Mingming Su (), Hangyu Dong and Zhenhua Liu
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Jiayu Wang: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Menghan Wang: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Haohan Dou: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Mingming Su: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Hangyu Dong: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
Zhenhua Liu: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Water is at the forefront of climate change and is seen as a major channel through which the effects of climate change are felt. The function of water heritage is closely related to the water bodies on which it depends. Under climate change, the conservation and tourism uses of water heritage resources are facing impacts and challenges. Taking the Beijing Section of the Grand Canal of China as a case, this research applied the adaptation theory to explore the impacts of climate change on heritage tourism of the section of the Grand Canal in Beijing. It was identified that changes in the temperature and the precipitation formed climate-related stimuli to tourism along the Canal from 2012 to 2021 in Beijing. Second, from the supply side of tourism, policies were formulated at a national or municipal level to respond to the changing climate and its impacts on the Canal and its tourism uses. Natural-based solutions (NbS) have been applied to rehabilitate the ecosystem of the Canal, contributing to the enhanced tourism landscape, and providing opportunities for ecological education. Third, from the demand side, high tourism participation along the Canal was examined during the high-temperature years. Meanwhile, the increasing tourist needs for water spaces and activities were observed with evident seasonal patterns. Accordingly, suggestions for climate adaptation of the Grand Canal from a tourism perspective were proposed. For heritage conservation, actions of ecological restoration and monitoring should be further implemented. To assist in the climate adaptation and sustainable development of Grand Canal tourism, suggestions are proposed to enhance the overall tourism planning, increase water accessibility, and heritage interpretation for tourists.

Keywords: water heritage tourism; climate change; adaptation theory; the Grand Canal; tourism supply and demand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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