Destination development in China: towards an effective model of explanation

Abstract

This article addresses the dynamics of the evolution of a nature-based destination in China. Based on longitudinal studies in Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, it focuses on the roles of institutions in tourism development in China, demonstrating the centrality of institutions and governments in fostering destination development through policy orientations, attracting investments, and regulations in their capacity as producers, protectors, and promoters of desired processes of change. It describes a five-stage development process from Exploration, through Starting, and then via Fluctuation and Acceleration to the current stage of Transition leading towards a destination seeking better service quality. The study, by incorporating institutions as a driving force, develops a RICI model (Resource, Institution, Capital and Innovation) to account for destination development in China. The paper especially notes the role of inter-institution rivalries, and the impact of those rivalries on sustainable development. It is suggested that the proposed model could be empirically verified and tested in other cultural or regional destination development contexts.

The role of institutions in the production of space for tourism: National Forest Parks in China

“…However, the process of the growth, development and expansion of nature based tourism opportunities is deeply entrenched in traditional Chinese approaches to governance. As such, the reconstruction of space for parks, and reorganization of the spatial structures within parks has synergies, as well as differences, with the approaches documented in western literature (Luo and Bao, 2013;Zhang & Xiao, 2014). Table 1 displays China's classification system for National Parks.…”

“…As a result of shift in government policy, particularly surrounding opening up and reform, tourism in China has been encouraged to forge diplomatic relationships (Zhang & Xiao, 2014). Consequently, different types of attractions have been developed to meet the needs of tourists, with nature based tourism emerging in prominence.…”

Conhecimento e sinergia como indutores da inovação regional em turismo: o caso do Observatório do Turismo no Distrito Federal (Brasil)

“…Para Cherly e Chris (2013), a inovação é a chave do sucesso para os destinos no mercado turístico e a sua base está na geração, transferência e uso de novos conhecimentos em Turismo. Os destinos devem ser orientados pela inovação e pelas suas marcas para assegurarem crescimento futuro e sustentado (Zhang & Xiao, 2014).…”

The multiple logics of tourism development in China

“…The dynamics behind the multiple stakeholders in sustainable tourism development in China may be more complicated (e.g. Huang & Chen, 2016;Sofield & Li, 2011;Xiao, 2013;Xu, Zhu, & Bao, 2016;Zhang & Xiao, 2014), as China is undergoing significant economic, political and socio-cultural transitions (e.g. O'Brien & Li, 2006;Walder, 1995;Zhang, 2008;Zhou, 2006).…”