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Synergizing Conservation and Tourism Utilization in Agricultural Heritage Sites: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Resilience in Wujiang and Longsheng, China

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  • Mingxin Lin

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
    Institute of Chinese Agricultural Civilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Mengyao Wang

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
    Institute of Chinese Agricultural Civilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Yong Lu

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
    Institute of Chinese Agricultural Civilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
    Research Center for Chinese Landmark Culture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Guodong Zhou

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
    The Academy of Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Wanting Shen

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Junhao Yin

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Jia You

    (College of Humanities & Social Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

Abstract

Synergizing agricultural heritage conservation with tourism utilization is pivotal for sustainable regional development. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) method and entropy weight method (EWM), this study comparatively analyzed the economic resilience of two UNESCO agricultural heritage sites in China: the Wujiang Silk Culture System and the Longji Terraces in Longsheng, from 2019 to 2023. The results revealed that heritage certification significantly promotes tourism growth, increasing revenue in Wujiang by 12.5% and visitor numbers in Longsheng by 18.3%. However, the resilience mechanisms varied distinctly between the sites: Wujiang displayed a market-driven resilience pattern characterized by effective cultural tourism integration, whereas Longsheng remained vulnerable due to resource dependency and infrastructural constraints. Further, Wujiang’s robust policy framework involving heritage conservation, tourism development, and ecological compensation fostered sustained resilience, albeit facing long-term challenges such as potential cultural commodification. This research contributes theoretically by quantifying the resilience disparities via spatial econometric analyses, identifying market-institution drivers, and proposing a “Four-Dimensional Optimization Matrix”, integrating value activation, infrastructure enhancement, industrial symbiosis, and adaptive governance. Practically, it provides tailored policy insights for improving resilience, avoiding over-commercialization, and promoting sustainable tourism practices applicable globally, particularly in developing economies managing heritage sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingxin Lin & Mengyao Wang & Yong Lu & Guodong Zhou & Wanting Shen & Junhao Yin & Jia You, 2025. "Synergizing Conservation and Tourism Utilization in Agricultural Heritage Sites: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Resilience in Wujiang and Longsheng, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:796-:d:1629721
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    References listed on IDEAS

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