Evolution of tourism in a flagship protected area of China

Tourism in Wolong Nature Reserve, a flagship UNESCO-listed site in China, followed a rapid growth trajectory before being halted by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. This study reveals that Wolong's tourism evolution—spanning exploration, involvement, and development phases—was driven by complex interactions between political, economic, and governance factors. Using the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model, researchers analyzed three decades of tourism dynamics, identifying key drivers and structural changes in governance. The findings highlight the fragility of sustainable tourism in protected areas, offering insights for balancing conservation, community development, and resilience against disruptive events.

Liu, W., Vogt, C. A., Lupi, F., He, G., Ouyang, Z., & Liu, J. (2015). Evolution of tourism in a flagship protected area of China. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(2), 203–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1071380