Evolutionary Patterns and Influencing Factors of Livelihood Resilience in Tourism-Dependent Communities Affected by an Epidemic: An Empirical Study in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China

Livelihood resilience in tourism-dependent communities within the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, China, showed moderate overall stability despite significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A study analyzing 365 households across five towns revealed a 6.38% decline in resilience during the epidemic disruption stage (2020–2022), followed by a 4.54% recovery post-2022. Key drivers of resilience included increased material capital, improved organizational management, and proactive attitudes toward livelihood challenges, while constraints such as reduced tourist numbers, inefficient ecotourism management, and limited financial resources hindered progress. The research highlights the importance of interactive pathways—buffering, adaptation, and transformation capabilities—in enhancing resilience under exogenous shocks like pandemics.

Wu, J., Cao, Q., Ouyang, W., Chen, B., Su, Y., Xie, W., & Liu, S. (2025). Evolutionary Patterns and Influencing Factors of Livelihood Resilience in Tourism-Dependent Communities Affected by an Epidemic: An Empirical Study in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China. Sustainability, 17(7), 2937. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072937