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2011 Spring | Arts & Humanities, Natural Science & Restoration, Sustainability

Ecotourism in China: Jiuzhai Valley National Park Case Study

Student(s):

Kiana Kobayashi

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Kieran Fitzgerald

Partner(s):

  • Jiuzhai Valley National Park

Faculty advisor(s):

Stevan Harrell, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington

My research project in Sichuan, China, set out to understand the current status of the newly-opened ecotourism project in one of China’s most renowned parks, Jiuzhai Valley National Park (JVNP). If planned and implemented poorly, ecotourism can be extremely destructive to the local area’s environment, economy, and people. In trying to understand JVNP’s ecotourism, I researched academic writings and worked with park staff members to propose recommendations for a more sustainable ecotourism project. As ecotourism projects expand rapidly internationally, especially in China, lessons derived in this case study have broad applicability for ecotourism destinations elsewhere.