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Transformation Planning of Ecotourism Systems to Invigorate Responsible Tourism

Author

Listed:
  • Yun Eui Choi

    (Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbukgu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Minsun Doh

    (Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455, USA)

  • Samuel Park

    (Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbukgu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Jinhyung Chon

    (Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbukgu, Seoul 02841, Korea)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to introduce transformation plans that can stimulate responsible ecotourism by using systems thinking to solve ecotourism problems in Korea. Systems thinking is a research method used to understand the operating mechanisms of the variables that influence an entire system, in order to identify its problems. The four types of ecotourism systems are classified as follows: low-infrastructure and resident-initiated, high-infrastructure and resident-initiated, high-infrastructure and government-initiated and low-infrastructure and government-initiated. These systems vary based on the need for tourism facilities and the form of governance. Each type of system is analyzed using the systems thinking process (dynamic thinking, causal thinking, feedback thinking, strategic thinking) at representative ecotourism sites in Jeollanam-do and the following transformation plans are proposed to improve the responsibility at the tourism sites: First, local residents will develop a system to manage and operate ecotourism ventures and establish cooperative governance structures to strengthen the local capacity. Second, ecotourism operators will improve the quality of their educational and interpretative programs and tourist information platforms in order to raise awareness of the responsibilities of ecotourists. Third, ecotourism systems that are improved through ecotourists’ and tour operators' heightened senses of responsibility can sustain ecotourism independently. These transformation plans can be applied to policy proposals for revitalizing ecotourism, to guidelines for improving community resilience and to biological habitat protection plans. This study is meaningful in that it discusses the role of stakeholders in ecotourism planning and promoting responsible tourism and their role in utilizing and conserving natural resources accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • Yun Eui Choi & Minsun Doh & Samuel Park & Jinhyung Chon, 2017. "Transformation Planning of Ecotourism Systems to Invigorate Responsible Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2248-:d:121767
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Aymerich Jiménez, Marta, 2018. "Do we need or we want to share? The Role of Non Profit Sharing platforms," Working Papers 2072/351584, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Economics.
    2. Zitao Yang & Li Tian, 2025. "Ecological Waves at Tourist Attractions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Promote Greenness of Surrounding Vegetation," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Tatjana Tambovceva & Dzintra Atstaja & Maria Tereshina & Inga Uvarova & Agita Livina, 2020. "Sustainability Challenges and Drivers of Cross-Border Greenway Tourism in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Álvaro Dias & Inês Aldana & Leandro Pereira & Renato Lopes da Costa & Nelson António, 2021. "A Measure of Tourist Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Blas Alcalá García & Carlota Lorenzo Romero & Miguel à ngel Gómez Borja, 2024. "A Conceptual Representation of the Semantic Fields of Responsible Tourism: Implications for Marketing," Tržište/Market, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 36(2), pages 133-152.
    6. Iulian Dincă & Seyede Razieh Keshavarz & Seyed Ali Almodaresi, 2023. "Landscapes of the Yazd-Ardakan Plain (Iran) and the Assessment of Geotourism—Contribution to the Promotion and Practice of Geotourism and Ecotourism," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, April.
    7. Daeyoung Jeong & Yun Eui Choi & Lilan Jin & Jinhyung Chon, 2019. "Impact of Spatial Change on Tourism by Bridge Connections between Islands: A Case Study of Ganghwa County in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Ľubica Ilkovičová & Ján Ilkovič, 2022. "Mining Educational Trail in Slovakia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    9. Ahyoung Yoon & Daeyoung Jeong & Jinhyung Chon & Ji-Hwan Yoon, 2019. "A Study of Consumers’ Intentions to Participate in Responsible Tourism Using Message Framing and Appeals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, February.
    10. Sarah Eichelberger & Manuela Heigl & Mike Peters & Birgit Pikkemaat, 2021. "Exploring the Role of Tourists: Responsible Behavior Triggered by the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    11. Atul Rawat & Shivam Joshi & Sushil Kumar Rai, 2024. "Evaluating the issue of sustainable tourism with a system dynamic approach: evidence from Uttarakhand, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(10), pages 1-28, October.
    12. Kumju Hwang & Jieun Lee, 2018. "Antecedents and Consequences of Ecotourism Behavior: Independent and Interdependent Self-Construals, Ecological Belief, Willingness to Pay for Ecotourism Services and Satisfaction with Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    13. Alexis Mooser & Giorgio Anfuso & Carlos Mestanza & Allan Thomas Williams, 2018. "Management Implications for the Most Attractive Scenic Sites along the Andalusia Coast (SW Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-26, April.

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