Residents' Perceptions of Resettlement for Nature-Based Tourism: A Case Study of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China

Abstract

Relocation to accommodate tourism development is a contentious issue, especially surrounding natural and protected areas. Although previous studies have touched on the importance of relocation to ensure the preservation of sites of unique natural and cultural significance, few studies have explored the impacts on residents. Consequently, this article explores residents' perceptions of the impacts of relocation to three different locations in the World Heritage Listed Wulingyuan Scenic Area, in China. To achieve this objective a survey was administered in March 2015. Findings revealed residents understood the potential of relocation for generating economic benefits, thus limited psychological impacts were evident. All the same, residents' views of relocation policies were predominantly negative, with potential for substantive improvement in the management of the relocation process. Future research should consider the impact of relocation for nature-based tourism on residents' perceptions on overall quality of life.