Research on the Impact of Tourism Development on the Sustainable Development of Reservoir Headwater Area Using China’s Tingxi Reservoir as an Example

• Main Authors: Chih-Chien Shen, Chou-Fu Liang, Chin-Hsien Hsu, Jung-Hul Chien, Hsiao-Hsien Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Water
• Subjects: multifunctional water source area; ecotourism, people with different stakeholders; balanced decision-making
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/12/3311

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of tourism development on the sustainable development of Tingxi Reservoir. Based on tourism impact theory, 804 questionnaires were statistically validated and analyzed, followed by a semi-structured interview with five respondents, and finally examined by a multivariate verification method. The study found that not only did development fail to raise land and housing prices, develop leisure activities, improve medical facilities, and supplement police manpower, but it also increased consumer costs and environmental damage. There were also problems such as insufficient interpreters, parking and rest facilities, and ineffective management of communication channels, bicycle facilities, and tourist waste, which did not help youths to return to their hometowns. Furthermore, due to the disparities in the performance of leisure opportunities, medical and health care, spatial planning, and cultural development, there were different opinions among the stakeholders. Suggestions: (1) Satisfy the needs of different stakeholders; (2) Improve the environmental literacy of tourists and provide more garbage cans; (3) Develop additional scenic spots to divert tourists; (4) Stabilize prices and attract investment from enterprises; and (5) Increase the participation of residents in community development to supplement industrial manpower.