Ethnic community’s perception of benefit-sharing and participation intentions in national park tourism in China: An asymmetric modeling approach

Abstract

While tourism brings employment opportunities to ethnic communities surrounding national parks, striking a balance between economic development and environmentalcultural preservation is paramount for ensuring long-term sustainability. In 2021, the first mountain cog rail transit project for poverty alleviation and tourism development started to be built in western China. It will pass through the pilot area of the Giant Panda National Park, bringing development opportunities and challenges for the localTibetan community. Based on a questionnaire survey of 395 Tibetan residents in the park vicinity, this study utilizes asymmetrical approach so as to explore the multifaceted elements shaping benefit-sharing, tourism support and community participation intentions. The findings reveal residents’ heightened emphasis on the economic benefits of tourism over environmental and cultural considerations. This inclination is rooted in the enduring impact of stringent ecological conservation measures over the past 50 years, significantly constraining regional economic development. Notably, young females who did not fully benefit from tourism express a high level of support for tourism, particularly when economic, cultural, and facility benefits align. Paradoxically, higher economic benefits are associated with lower community participation intentions in tourism decision-making, underscoring that only low economic benefits trigger such intentions. Active community participation predominantly manifests among young males, suggesting that residents express participation intentions when their benefit-sharing needs are not adequately met. This study provides valuable insights into the coordinated development of transportation, community benefit-sharing, and the preservation of national parks.