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

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  • Yanpeng Li

    (Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center for the Biodiversity in the Three Parallel Rivers of China, Dali 671003, China
    School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lixiang Zhang

    (Forestry Bureau of Yingjiang County, Dehong 679300, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ying Gao

    (Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
    Faculty of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, 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
    Faculty of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, 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
    Collaborative Innovation Center for the Biodiversity in the Three Parallel Rivers of China, Dali 671003, China
    Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, 66 Boulevard Carl Vogt, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Wen Xiao

    (Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center for the Biodiversity in the Three Parallel Rivers of China, Dali 671003, China)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanpeng Li & Lixiang Zhang & Ying Gao & Zhipang Huang & Liangwei Cui & Shuoran Liu & Yihao Fang & Guopeng Ren & Davide Fornacca & Wen Xiao, 2019. "Ecotourism in China, Misuse or Genuine Development? An Analysis Based on Map Browser Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4997-:d:266779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gonghan Sheng & Heyuan Chen & Kalifi Ferretti-Gallon & John L. Innes & Zhongjun Wang & Yujun Zhang & Guangyu Wang, 2020. "Moving toward a Greener China: Is China’s National Park Pilot Program a Solution?," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Murude Ertac & Cem Tanova, 2020. "Flourishing Women through Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurship," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Saraswati Sisriany & Katsunori Furuya, 2025. "Does Ecotourism Really Benefit the Environment? A Trend Analysis of Forest Cover Loss in Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-25, June.

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