Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development in Rural Tourism: Lessons from Community-driven Models in Xidi Ancient Village, Anhui Province, China

Community-driven social entrepreneurship models can effectively foster sustainable rural tourism development, as demonstrated by Xidi Ancient Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Anhui Province, China. This study highlights how participatory decision-making, equitable benefit-sharing, and capacity building enhance the sustainability of rural tourism while preserving cultural heritage and promoting economic empowerment. Despite challenges such as limited resources and regulatory constraints, innovative strategies like digital marketing, niche tourism development, and public-private partnerships have bolstered the resilience and scalability of social enterprises in Xidi. The findings underscore the potential for such models to inspire inclusive and sustainable rural tourism initiatives globally.

Lujie, Z., & Omar, S. I. (2026). Social Entrepreneurship and Community Development in Rural Tourism: Lessons from Community-driven Models in Xidi Ancient Village, Anhui Province, China. Entrepreneurship for Rural Tourism Growth: New Perspectives and Future Directions (Part 1), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.2174/9798898814359126010009