Global Network of National Geoparks

The Case of Huangshan:Tourism Promote Community Development, was Included in UNWTO Conference Material

Source :Huangshan Global Geopark, China Published :December 30, 2016

Recent years, the book Tourism Shaping Tomorrow has been chosen several times as material for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) training courses. The book was made by Monitoring Center for UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories. The Case of Huangshan: Tourism Promote Community Development, was included in it.

 

 

 

The case shows positive impacts of tourism on community. It mentions that Huangshan Tourism has opened the south gate of Huangshan, Tangkou town. Increasing number of visitors brings in more income and information here. This changes the life in this small town, broadens residents’ view as well. A remarkable influence is that residents realized the importance of education. Parents are willing to send their children to take in higher education and encourage them to pursuit their dream. They think China is not the only place raised in their mind for high quality education now.

In 2011, Huangshan Geopark Administrative Committee has signed cooperation agreement with Monitoring Center for UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories. Then the center regularly monitors tourist sustainable development of Huangshan referring to the aspects of resources and environment protection, cultural heritage explanation, tourism influence, society development and visitor experience. It aims to check the tourism impacts on environment, soceity and economy of Huangshan, sum up the experience of Huangshan sustainable development and share it all over the world.