eCite Digital Repository
Attaining harmony: understanding the relationship between ecotourism and protected areas in China
Citation
Xu, H and Cui, Q and Sofield, T and Li, FMS, Attaining harmony: understanding the relationship between ecotourism and protected areas in China, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 22, (8) pp. 1131-1150. ISSN 0966-9582 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Taylor & Francis
DOI: doi:10.1080/09669582.2014.902064
Abstract
This paper explores the power of both traditional culture and modernity, their
interaction, and ecotourism as defined and developed in China, and suggests a new
framework for ecotourism policies. It argues that issues in ecotourism should reflect
scientific and empirical evidence, but also integrate traditional Chinese cultural
beliefs, and political and social factors, to achieve sustainability. The protected area
system, central to ecotourism in China, was introduced by government to bring
modernity and globalization. The management model follows western values, tending
to separate humans from nature for conservation purposes, using institutionalized
western zoning systems. This approach is inconsistent with millennia-old Chinese
cultural values about relationships between nature and humans, centred around tian
ren he yi – humans and nature as a unified entity. Instead of managing conflicts,
attaining harmony (in a subjective experiential way) is the fundamental Chinese
approach. The paper explores conflicts between the two value systems, and how
Confucian "middle ways" are being crafted to balance the fast-growing special needs
of Chinese eco-tourists with the top-down regulation of protected areas. It notes new
developments in protected area tourism management in the West, and opportunities to
blend Chinese traditional values about harmony with evolving western practice.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | ecotourism, China, harmony, culture, nature reserve, government |
Research Division: | Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services |
Research Group: | Tourism |
Research Field: | Tourism not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Commercial Services and Tourism |
Objective Group: | Tourism services |
Objective Field: | Tourism services not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Li, FMS (Ms Sarah Li) |
ID Code: | 100420 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 34 |
Deposited By: | Research Division |
Deposited On: | 2015-05-15 |
Last Modified: | 2015-06-17 |
Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page