Perspectives on Community Involvement in the Revitalisation of Cultural and Natural Heritage for Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

This chapter explores how local community involvement contributed to reviving cultural and natural heritage as assets for sustaining tourism on a small offshore island in Hong Kong. Yim Tin Tsai is a village established by the Hakka Chan clan and the main economic activity was salt production in the past. After the village became deserted due to villagers' migration, the existing salt fields were revived by the community. This process has increased the interest of visitors to travel to the village to experience the cultural, religious, and natural heritage of the destination. This case study combines in loco observations, interviews with key stakeholders on the island, and consultation of secondary sources. Opportunities and challenges regarding community involvement in tourism and its contribution to the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage assets of this offshore island are discussed.