A Community Livelihood Approach to Agricultural Heritage System Conservation and Tourism Development: Xuanhua Grape Garden Urban Agricultural Heritage Site, Hebei Province of China

Abstract

Abstract:The designation, conservation and tourism development of agricultural heritage systems, which are embedded with intricate human-nature relations, could significantly influence community livelihoods. Therefore, a livelihood approach is critical for agricultural heritage conservation and the sustainability of the hosting community. Taking Guanhou Village, Xuanhua Grape Garden Urban Agricultural Heritage Site as an example, this study examines impacts of heritage conservation and tourism on the community livelihood system and its implications for community livelihood sustainability. A sustainable livelihood framework is adopted to guide the analysis. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with management officials, village leaders and village residents. The research identified the importance of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) designation on raising government support and public awareness on conservation. Tourism emerges as an alternative livelihood to some residents which exerts positive economic influence. However, tourism participation is currently at a low level which restricted the distribution of benefits. The sustainability of local rural livelihood is at risk due to the rapid urbanization, the decline of human resources and the insufficient integration of traditional agriculture with tourism. Practical implications were discussed to enhance local participation and tourism contribution to GIAHS conservation.

Community-Driven Tourism Projects’ Economic Contribution to Community Livelihoods—A Case of Makuleke Contractual Park Community Tourism Project

“…In this study, tourism emerges as a component of livelihood strategy for rural communities. These results are consistent with earlier studies by [32,44,65,70,71].…”

Tea for Well-Being: Restaurant Atmosphere and Repurchase Intention for Hotel Afternoon Tea Services

“…Hospitality is a valuable tool for economic diversification, and hospitality development can be an effective means of engaging communities by providing new markets for agricultural products [49]. From the Victorian era to the present, afternoon tea consumers have been mostly women, but male afternoon tea consumers are increasing in number.…”

Research Progress in the Conservation and Development of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS)

“…Although it is necessary to pay attention to balance the relationship between conservation and tourism development [91], empirical investigations show that tourism may trigger environmental and social issues, for instance, environmental pollution, inequitable allocation of benefits [92], increased tension in neighborly relationships, as well as deterioration in public security and social morality [93]. Meanwhile, although the income level of inhabitants in some heritage sites has indeed increased due to the development of eco-tourism [94], the income from ecological agriculture and eco-tourism in many heritage sites still cannot compare with the incomed earned from migration or land transfer [95]. As a result, the transformation of farmers' livelihood strategies at the expense of traditional farming practices and partial sacrifices of traditional agricultural landscapes is widespread [96], and these changes and their adverse effects are threatening the sustainability of heritage systems.…”