Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites

Agricultural heritage sites, including the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, face growing water resource challenges due to increased tourism. Research reveals that the tourism water footprint in Yuanyang County—representing these terraces—is nearing its capacity limit, with sewage dilution and dietary water usage contributing over 74% of total water demand. The site's water pressure index stands at 97%, indicating imminent risk of exceeding sustainable thresholds. To mitigate this, the study proposes macro- and micro-level strategies, such as technology adoption, public awareness campaigns, and diversified tourism products, to balance conservation with visitor growth. This framework offers a blueprint for policymakers to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems while fostering responsible tourism.

Tian, M., Min, Q., Lun, F., Yuan, Z., Fuller, A., Yang, L., Zhang, Y., & Zhou, J. (2015). Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites. Sustainability, 7(11), 15548–15569. https://doi.org/10.3390/su71115548