Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management Model for Protected Natural Areas: Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve, South China

Abstract

This paper presents the major tourism management issues in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, with a focus on Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve. The paper emphasizes the integration of the social, economic and environmental goals for effective tourism planning and development. The situation analysis was patterned after the principles of the 7Es Environmental Management model developed by Catibog-Sinha & Bushell (2004, Environmental management of wildlife tourism: a case study in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens. Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Brisbane, Australia) for nature-based tourism management. The paper focuses on the planning stage of the 7Es model, which is comprised of the following seven interrelated elements. (1) Environment – management of the natural and physical environments as well as the human–nature interactions. (2) Economics – promoting financial profitability without destroying or depleting the natural capital and eroding the cultural values of the host community. (3) Enforcement – implementation, management and monitoring of plans, legislative and other regulatory measures, and voluntary codes of conduct. (4) Experience – enhancing tourist satisfaction, experience and knowledge provided by the attractions. (5) Engagement – actively involving the stakeholders including the local/host community in planning, decision-making and implementation. (6) Enquiry – conducting research through scientific enquiry on the technical and social implications of tourism on the conservation of natural and cultural heritage including environmental protection. (7) Education – improving understanding about the natural and cultural environments as well as visitor use and impacts. The 7Es model incorporates the cyclical and iterative nature of the planning process, which is regularly informed by field experience, trends in tourism practice, evolving knowledge about the physical and biological environments, monitoring and conservation. Ultimately, the model endeavours to achieve a balance between biodiversity conservation and economic development. Based on the situation analysis, some suggestions and recommendations for tourism management of Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve are presented.