Title: The Coordination Relationship between Rural Ecological Environment and Tourism Development
Abstract: The development of rural tourism in our country is rapid, bringing significant economic and social benefits while the impact on the rural ecological environment cannot be ignored. All parties must make joint efforts, with the key being the protection and construction of the rural ecological environment, reducing the negative impact of rural tourism on the rural ecological environment, achieving benign interaction and coordinated development between the two.
Keywords: Rural tourism; rural ecological environment; coordinated development
1. Rural Tourism and Rural Ecological Environment
Rural tourism is based in the countryside, utilizing natural and cultural landscapes, agricultural culture, rural life, folk customs, and other tourism resources, providing tourists with scientific planning and development design for sightseeing, leisure, vacationing, experiences, education, entertainment, fitness, and more. Its lifeline is rurality, which manifests in both material aspects such as architecture, clothing, food, fields, orchards, and environment, and spiritual cultural aspects such as folk traditions, local customs, language culture, institutional norms, etc., also known as the original ecological or rural ecological environment, including natural and human ecological environments.
The emergence and development of rural tourism have profound backgrounds and era missions. First, the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization has led people to pursue spiritual satisfaction alongside the continuous fulfillment of material life, creating a huge demand for rural tourism as urban residents seek to escape the noise of the city and return to the simplicity of nature due to work and life pressures. Second, rural areas aim to alleviate poverty, reduce urban-rural disparities, and constitute strong supply motivation for rural tourism.
China's rural tourism is developing rapidly, forming various models. According to the National Rural Tourism Development Outline (2009-2015) (draft for comments), China's rural tourism will "form a broad field, large scale, distinct characteristics, and standardized development pattern," becoming an important carrier for new rural construction and promoting the three goals of rural industry development, farmer income increase, and rural social harmony and stability. Therefore, the development of rural tourism in our country is full of opportunities and has a broad prospect.
2. Analysis of Interactive Relationships between Rural Tourism and Rural Ecological Environment
Since the emergence of rural tourism, it has been inseparable from the ecological environment. They promote each other while also constraining each other. The rural ecological environment is the foundation of rural tourism, and without a good ecological environment, the development of rural tourism will be constrained. As a derivative product, rural tourism has a profound impact on the rural ecological environment, which is the most critical aspect of their relationship and should be the focus of our attention.
(1) Mutual Promotion between Rural Tourism and Rural Ecological Environment
1. A Good Ecological Environment is the Foundation for Developing Rural Tourism
The rural ecological environment is the core of rural tourism and its basic resource. The fundamental reason for the existence and development of rural tourism lies in the unique living environment, pastoral scenery, lifestyle, folk customs, and production activities that cities do not possess. Generally, rural tourism develops in areas with superior natural ecological environments and rich human ecological landscapes. Regions where rural tourism develops well usually have a good rural ecological environment.
2. Rural Tourism Promotes the Protection and Construction of the Rural Ecological Environment
Protecting and improving the rural ecological environment is an intrinsic requirement of rural tourism. At the same time, the development of rural tourism enhances the economic strength of rural areas, enabling local governments and farmers to invest in tourism environmental resources and improve the quality of resources and the environment, promoting the benign interactive development of the economy and the environment.
(1) Promoting the Protection and Construction of the Rural Natural Ecological Environment
The rural natural ecological environment is at the center of the rural ecological environment system and is the most direct manifestation form of rural tourism attractions. Without fresh and beautiful pastoral scenery, naturally harmonious mountains and waters, and diverse flora and fauna, rural tourism would become water without a source or a tree without roots. Therefore, rural tourism should fully recognize that the natural ecological environment cannot be destroyed or used for other purposes, by formulating laws and regulations, promoting green production, protecting farmland, protecting wildlife, closing traditional factories and mines, etc., effectively protecting valuable rural tourism resources and the environment.
(2) Promoting the Maximum Protection and Improvement of Rural Human Ecological Resources
The rural human ecological environment is the focus of enhancing the quality and extending the connotation of rural tourism. The development of rural tourism mainly involves the development of human resources. The rural human ecological environment includes very rich content, such as ancient sites, ancient towns, ancient buildings, food, language, clothing, specialties, handicrafts, folklore, and more. These are the treasures of rural culture and deeply attract the eyes of rural tourists, bringing travelers great experiences, education, leisure, and entertainment enjoyment. Before the development of rural tourism, these rich resources might be buried, neglected, or damaged by human actions or weathered and deteriorated over time, with their enormous value idling or lost. Many rural tourism destinations realize this, treating traditional and "rustic" things as precious treasures, effectively preserving them, such as restoring historical sites, ancient towns, and ancient buildings, consciously protecting local traditions and customs, inheriting and continuing endangered ethnic handicrafts. Through the development of rural tourism, these valuable legacies left by ancestors are preserved to the greatest extent possible.
(3) Promoting Village Appearance Improvement
Firstly, the rural living environment has significantly improved. With the development of rural tourism, there is motivation, ability, and enthusiasm to renovate or build new housing, actively requiring water, electricity, kitchen, and toilet improvements, leading to a desire for overall village planning, resulting in the emergence of clean and distinctive tourist small towns (villages), completely renewing the appearance of rural tourism destinations.
Secondly, transportation becomes increasingly smooth. In the past, typical rural transportation was characterized by narrow winding paths, muddy rough roads, and potholes, making it difficult for outsiders to enter and locals to leave. After developing rural tourism, this situation has greatly improved, with basic road access to every village and mostly straightened routes.
Thirdly, greening enters rural homes. In the past, greening seemed to be only the domain of cities, with the countryside being "earthy." After developing rural tourism, people plant trees along village roads and flowers and grass in their courtyards, beautifying their homes and striving to create a fresher and more beautiful village appearance, making greening increasingly popular in rural areas.
(4) Promoting the Improvement of Rural Civilization Levels
Firstly, it sparks a thirst for knowledge among farmers. Influenced by rural tourism and occupational quality requirements, learning culture and technology has become a conscious action of farmers. Many villagers learn Mandarin, even foreign languages and computers, and the internet has entered some farmers' households, becoming an important means for them to collect and transmit information.
Secondly, farmers' environmental awareness has greatly increased. Significant returns have made farmers realize the importance of rural tourism and the significance of the environment. Farmers' interest in and concern for the natural environment has undergone a major change, with environmental protection becoming a conscious action and paying attention to health and hygiene becoming a habit of farmers.
Thirdly, the civilization of rural production and lifestyle develops. The external and demonstration effects of rural tourism clearly promote the updating and openness of rural residents' ideas. Farmers are willing to try and accept new production methods, improve production technology levels, and consciously refer to urban models to get rid of bad habits, cultivate hygiene habits, and form civilized lifestyles.
Fourthly, the spirit of farmers undergoes significant changes. Enthusiasm for life increases, optimism and warmth prevail, love for their homeland grows, and in tourist villages, harmony between humans and nature becomes increasingly evident.
(2) Mutual Constraints between Rural Tourism and Rural Ecological Environment
Lagging protection and construction of the rural ecological environment constrain the development of rural tourism. Without a superior rural ecological environment, rural tourism naturally finds it hard to start. Even if rural tourism starts, if the ecological environment is not effectively protected and constructed, it will be difficult for rural tourism to sustain development. The rural ecological environment is fragile, and many places lack sufficient emphasis on the ecological environment during the development of rural tourism. Faced with drastically increased pollution from the surge in the number of people, goods, and vehicles compared to before the development of tourism, they remain inactive. Especially in agritainment tourism, pollution emissions are often unrestricted and untreated. This not only greatly reduces people's impressions of the environment of tourist destinations but also requires a huge cost for "pollution first, then governance," possibly leading to passive protection situations. Moreover, if the rural ecological environment is not deeply explored and strengthened after the development of rural tourism, it can easily lose its appeal. Especially if the cultural connotations of rural tourism resources are not highlighted, it will be difficult for rural tourism to continue to flourish.
(3) Rural Tourism Brings Great Impact to the Rural Ecological Environment
Rural tourism often bears the heavy responsibility of "poverty alleviation through tourism" and "promoting agriculture through tourism." Under the mindset of surpassing economic growth, it is easy to be short-sighted and solely pursue short-term economic benefits. If the development and development of rural tourism are not scientifically researched, neglecting environmental impact assessments and regional planning, and lacking scientific management and monitoring, it will lead to many negative effects on the ecological environment.
1. Increased Pressure on the Rural Natural Environment. Mainly manifested as:
(1) Exceeding Environmental Carrying Capacity. Each tourist destination has obvious concentrated visiting times and a certain environmental carrying capacity. An increase in the number of visitors means an expansion of environmental carrying capacity, negatively impacting the environment, gradually reducing environmental benefits. When the growth in the number of tourists exceeds the environmental carrying capacity, the tourist environment will be damaged or severely deteriorated.
(2) Generation of Large Amounts of Pollutants. Rural tourism brings a sharp increase in the flow of people, goods, generating a large amount of pollutants, seriously polluting water bodies, soil, vegetation, and the atmosphere.
(3) High Consumption and Waste of Energy and Water Resources. The entry of large numbers of tourists and vehicles greatly increases the usage of water, electricity, fuel, daily necessities, and food in tourist destinations, and most of this consumption is uncontrolled, increasing the pressure on living resources, contrary to the spirit of building a conservation-oriented society.
2. Environmental Degradation and Ecological Destruction. Unreasonable land use, hotel and tourism facility construction leads to a series of problems such as destruction of natural landscapes, reduction of biodiversity, environmental degradation, soil erosion, and frequent floods. Especially, the ecological environment suffers heavy damage during construction, with excessive use of bulldozers and excavators, some areas being leveled before re-digging lakes and stacking mountains, planting trees and laying grass, and constructing pavilions and towers. Or blindly imitating urban landscaping techniques, pursuing high standards and large investments, or going against the grain, northern regions imitating southern landscapes, southern regions imitating Mongolian pastoral areas, causing extensive destruction of existing terrain, plants, ponds, and derivatives. Overuse of the fragile natural environment by tourists also severely damages the natural ecology, such as trampling grass excessively in tourist areas causing wild grass to die, taking photos, feeding, and observing wildlife arbitrarily greatly changing animal behavior patterns.
3. Thoughts on the Coordinated Development of Rural Tourism and Rural Ecological Environment
In the interactive relationship between rural tourism and rural ecological environment, mutual promotion is our fundamental goal, requiring us to effectively avoid the mutual constraints between the two. The key is to protect and construct the rural ecological environment well, reducing the negative impact of rural tourism on the rural ecological environment. This requires joint efforts from all parties involved in rural tourism, with ecological environment protection and construction as a prerequisite, achieving benign interaction and coordinated development between the two.
(1) Strengthen Macro Management
Coordinated development between rural tourism and rural ecological environment is a systematic project. The government must take on the role of leader, playing a good management and coordination role. Firstly, a coordinated development plan between rural ecological environment and rural tourism must be formulated. Their coordination requires planning first, and under its guidance, achieve benign interaction between the two. Government departments must conduct thorough surveys and research, scientifically evaluate traffic advantages, resource advantages, environmental carrying capacity, and market potential, conduct rural tourism environmental assessments, highlight environmental benefits, strengthen the protection of land resources, water resources, and flora and fauna resources, prevent soil erosion, accurately position the functions and product development of rural tourism. Secondly, each place must establish and improve the environmental protection legal system for rural tourism development according to actual conditions, guide and supervise the development of rural tourism to ensure the correct direction of rural tourism development and the sustainable use of rural tourism resources. Thirdly, strengthen orderly guidance and support for rural tourism. Strict project approval, environmental assessment, and environmental governance systems must be enforced, dynamic supervision and management must be strengthened; increase publicity and education on ecological environmental protection; promote energy-saving and emission reduction, support water and energy conservation and emission reduction, advocate low-carbon tourism; provide necessary support for rural tourism environmental protection investment, focusing on financial support for environmental management system construction and pollution control infrastructure construction; establish effective coordination and supervision mechanisms, set up specialized working groups for rural tourism development, and form a united force for rural tourism environmental protection work.
(2) Rural Tourism Sites Must Adhere to Green and Environmental Protection, Content-Oriented Operations
The actions of operators of rural tourism sites (including enterprises, rural communities, and farmers) directly affect and act on the rural ecological environment. They are the practitioners of rural tourism ecological environmental protection measures, bearing the important task of protecting the ecological environment of tourist sites. Therefore, rural tourism operators must adhere to ecological environmental protection business concepts, continuously enhance their own environmental protection awareness and qualities, actively cooperate with the overall development plans and environmental requirements of local rural tourism, not discharge waste indiscriminately, conserve water and energy, actively utilize new energy sources and materials, widely apply energy-saving, water-saving, and emission-reduction technologies, actively develop circular economies, create green and environmentally friendly rural tourism; set examples, guide and supervise tourist behaviors, consciously protect the ecological environment; prominently display warning signs at important locations such as entrances, scenic spots, and facility edges to appropriately remind tourists to protect the ecological environment. Meanwhile, rural tourism sites should closely monitor the visitor capacity of scenic areas, coordinate all tasks during peak tourist periods, keeping tour activities within the allowable range of environmental carrying capacity. Additionally, rural tourism cannot only seek benefits from the natural environment; we must fully explore its cultural connotations, enhancing the charm of rural tourism with rich and profound cultural ecology to achieve sustainable development.
(3) Rural Tourists Should Enhance Environmental Self-discipline
As consumers of rural tourism, tourists' behavior modes also directly affect and act on the rural ecological environment, being an important external influencing factor. Therefore, the development of rural tourism and the protection of the rural ecological environment rely on the support of a wide range of tourists. Tourists should raise their awareness, abide by social ethics and tourist site rules and regulations, and consciously protect the ecological environment. The government should increase publicity efforts to make environmental awareness more deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Since the 1980s, rural tourism has flourished in vast rural areas of our country, now becoming an important component of our country's tourism industry and a crucial support for promoting the social and economic development of rural areas. It is estimated that in 2008, national rural tourism received over 385 million tourists, generated tourism revenue of 57.3 billion yuan, provided direct employment for 4.95 million farmers, and indirect or seasonal employment for 18.4 million people. However, while rural tourism is developing rapidly, an issue that cannot be ignored is that the rural ecological environment is undergoing unprecedented changes. Therefore, how to correctly understand and handle the relationship between rural tourism and the rural ecological environment has become a significant topic for the sustainable development of rural tourism and rural society and economy.
Main References: China Government Website. Tourism