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Balancing Growth and Preservation: Strategic Pathways for Sustainable Rural Tourism in China’s Environmental Landscape

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  • Chenchen Han

    (School of Economics and Management, Bozhou University, Bozhou 236800, China)

  • Hongmei Zhang

    (College of Tourism, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200000, China)

  • Yechen Zhang

    (College of Tourism and Exhibition, Hefei University, Hefei 230000, China)

Abstract

Sustainable rural tourism development is paramount for the socio-economic advancement of rural regions in China. This study systematically prioritizes the key drivers essential for the successful implementation of sustainable rural tourism development by employing the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis methodologies. Through an extensive literature review and expert consultations, we identify and categorize the critical drivers influencing sustainable rural tourism. Utilizing the ISM approach, we construct a hierarchical structure to elucidate the interrelationships among these drivers. Following this, MICMAC analysis is applied to assess their driving and dependence power. We find that government policy and support is the most powerful driver forming the basis for sustainable rural tourism development. Moreover, our findings uncover a complex network of interdependencies, with several drivers emerging as crucial for effective implementation. This research provides invaluable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and practitioners, offering a robust framework to inform strategic decision-making in fostering sustainable rural tourism development in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenchen Han & Hongmei Zhang & Yechen Zhang, 2025. "Balancing Growth and Preservation: Strategic Pathways for Sustainable Rural Tourism in China’s Environmental Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-31, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:246-:d:1558226
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wookhyun An & Silverio Alarcón, 2020. "How Can Rural Tourism Be Sustainable? A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Awasthi, Anjali & Govindan, Kannan & Gold, Stefan, 2018. "Multi-tier sustainable global supplier selection using a fuzzy AHP-VIKOR based approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 106-117.
    3. Xiongfeng Pan & Cuicui Han & Xiaowei Lu & Zhiming Jiao & Yang Ming, 2020. "Green innovation ability evaluation of manufacturing enterprises based on AHP–OVP model," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 290(1), pages 409-419, July.
    4. Gabriela Carmen Pascariu & Ramona Tiganasu, 2014. "Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development in Romania and France: an Approach from the Perspective of New Economic Geography," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 16(Special 8), pages 1089-1089, August.
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