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Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites

Author

Listed:
  • Mi Tian

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Qingwen Min

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Fei Lun

    (School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zheng Yuan

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Anthony M. Fuller

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1H2W1, Canada)

  • Lun Yang

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yongxun Zhang

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Jie Zhou

    (Administration of World Heritage in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, A District of Honghe Perfecture Center Office Building, Tianma Road No.67, Mengzi 661100, China)

Abstract

Agricultural heritage sites have been gaining popularity as tourism destinations. The arrival of large numbers of tourists, however, has created serious challenges to these vulnerable ecosystems. In particular, water resources are facing tremendous pressure. Thus, an assessment of tourism water footprint is suggested before promoting sustainable tourism. This paper uses the bottom-up approach to construct a framework on the tourism water footprint of agricultural heritage sites. The tourism water footprint consists of four components, namely accommodation water footprint, diet water footprint, transportation water footprint and sewage dilution water footprint. Yuanyang County, a representative of the Honghe Hani rice terraces, was selected as the study area. Field surveys including questionnaires, interviews and participant observation approaches were undertaken to study the tourism water footprint and water capacity of the heritage site. Based on the results, measures to improve the tourism water capacity have been put forward, which should provide references for making policies that aim to maintain a sustainable water system and promote tourism development without hampering the sustainability of the heritage system. The sewage dilution water footprint and the diet water footprint were top contributors to the tourism water footprint of the subject area, taking up 38.33% and 36.15% of the tourism water footprint, respectively, followed by the transportation water footprint (21.47%). The accommodation water footprint had the smallest proportion (4.05%). The tourism water capacity of the heritage site was 14,500 tourists per day. The water pressure index was 97%, indicating that the water footprint was still within the water capacity, but there is a danger that the water footprint may soon exceed the water capacity. As a consequence, we suggest that macro and micro approaches, including appropriate technologies, awareness enhancement and diversified tourism product development throughout the whole year that can alleviate the water pressure at critical times, could be taken to optimize the water management of the heritage sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Mi Tian & Qingwen Min & Fei Lun & Zheng Yuan & Anthony M. Fuller & Lun Yang & Yongxun Zhang & Jie Zhou, 2015. "Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:11:p:15548-15569:d:59184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mingming Su & Yehong Sun & Qingwen Min & Wenjun Jiao, 2018. "A Community Livelihood Approach to Agricultural Heritage System Conservation and Tourism Development: Xuanhua Grape Garden Urban Agricultural Heritage Site, Hebei Province of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Zhenquan Xiao & Polat Muhtar & Wenxiu Huo & Chaogao An & Ling Yang & Fengrong Zhang, 2021. "Spatial and Temporal Differentiation of the Tourism Water Footprint in Mainland China and Its Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Chunxiang Zhang & You-Yu Dai & Xiaowei Jin & Yiwan Yang, 2022. "Land Reclamation Tourism Resources in China: Connotation, Classification, and Evaluation," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    4. Mingming Su & Menghan Wang & Yehong Sun & Ying Wang, 2022. "Tourist Perspectives on Agricultural Heritage Interpretation—A Case Study of the Qingtian Rice-Fish System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Huiqi Song & Pengwei Chen & Yongxun Zhang & Youcheng Chen, 2021. "Study Progress of Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS): A Literature Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-22, September.
    6. Yu Zhang & Jin-he Zhang & Qing Tian, 2021. "Virtual Water Trade in the Service Sector: China’s Inbound Tourism as a Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Ruifang Wang & Fengping Wu & Zhaoli He, 2023. "Tourism Development under Water-Energy Dual Constraints: A Case Study from Xinjiang Based on Different Emergency Scenarios," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Guannan Zhu & Xiande Li & Yongxun Zhang, 2021. "Multi-Stakeholder Involvement Mechanism in Tourism Management for Maintaining Terraced Landscape in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) Sites: A Case Study of Dazhai Village in Longji Terra," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-21, October.
    9. Yongxun Zhang & Qingwen Min & Heyao Li & Lulu He & Canqiang Zhang & Lun Yang, 2017. "A Conservation Approach of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS): Improving Traditional Agricultural Patterns and Promoting Scale-Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-12, February.
    10. Qingwen Min & Bitian Zhang, 2019. "Research Progress in the Conservation and Development of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.

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