Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts
Low-carbon rural tourism development presents a critical challenge for environmental governance in emerging economies, yet the multi-level dynamics of policy implementation remain underexplored. This study examines China’s approach to this challenge, employing a mixed-methods approach including anal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1482713/full |
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| author | Yi Guo Shengchao Li |
| author_facet | Yi Guo Shengchao Li |
| author_sort | Yi Guo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Low-carbon rural tourism development presents a critical challenge for environmental governance in emerging economies, yet the multi-level dynamics of policy implementation remain underexplored. This study examines China’s approach to this challenge, employing a mixed-methods approach including analysis of 16 central and 559 provincial policy documents, case studies in 15 rural villages across five provinces (Hunan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanxi, and Hainan), and a survey of 637 stakeholders. Our findings reveal a complex policy landscape characterized by evolving national frameworks, varied provincial adoption patterns influenced by economic, environmental, and institutional factors, and three distinct local implementation pathways: technology-driven, community-based, and policy-led. We uncover significant variations in stakeholder perceptions and socio-economic impacts across different contexts, highlighting the critical role of adaptive governance mechanisms and local contextual factors in determining policy effectiveness. This study contributes to policy diffusion and multi-level governance theories by demonstrating the intricate interplay between top-down directives and bottom-up innovations in shaping sustainable tourism outcomes. Based on these insights, we propose evidence-based policy recommendations emphasizing flexible, context-sensitive approaches and improved stakeholder engagement to enhance low-carbon rural tourism governance. This research provides valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners working towards sustainable rural development and environmental conservation in China and other developing countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2a9df1ad77a4315b67e97c64e28c564 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-a2a9df1ad77a4315b67e97c64e28c5642025-01-17T06:51:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-01-011210.3389/fenvs.2024.14827131482713Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impactsYi Guo0Shengchao Li1School of Tourism and Business, Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic, Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Management, Guangdong University of Education, Guangzhou, ChinaLow-carbon rural tourism development presents a critical challenge for environmental governance in emerging economies, yet the multi-level dynamics of policy implementation remain underexplored. This study examines China’s approach to this challenge, employing a mixed-methods approach including analysis of 16 central and 559 provincial policy documents, case studies in 15 rural villages across five provinces (Hunan, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanxi, and Hainan), and a survey of 637 stakeholders. Our findings reveal a complex policy landscape characterized by evolving national frameworks, varied provincial adoption patterns influenced by economic, environmental, and institutional factors, and three distinct local implementation pathways: technology-driven, community-based, and policy-led. We uncover significant variations in stakeholder perceptions and socio-economic impacts across different contexts, highlighting the critical role of adaptive governance mechanisms and local contextual factors in determining policy effectiveness. This study contributes to policy diffusion and multi-level governance theories by demonstrating the intricate interplay between top-down directives and bottom-up innovations in shaping sustainable tourism outcomes. Based on these insights, we propose evidence-based policy recommendations emphasizing flexible, context-sensitive approaches and improved stakeholder engagement to enhance low-carbon rural tourism governance. This research provides valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners working towards sustainable rural development and environmental conservation in China and other developing countries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1482713/fullenvironmental governancelow-carbon tourismrural developmentpolicy diffusionmulti-level governanceChina |
| spellingShingle | Yi Guo Shengchao Li Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts Frontiers in Environmental Science environmental governance low-carbon tourism rural development policy diffusion multi-level governance China |
| title | Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts |
| title_full | Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts |
| title_fullStr | Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts |
| title_short | Multi-level governance of low-carbon tourism in rural China: policy evolution, implementation pathways, and socio-ecological impacts |
| title_sort | multi level governance of low carbon tourism in rural china policy evolution implementation pathways and socio ecological impacts |
| topic | environmental governance low-carbon tourism rural development policy diffusion multi-level governance China |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1482713/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yiguo multilevelgovernanceoflowcarbontourisminruralchinapolicyevolutionimplementationpathwaysandsocioecologicalimpacts AT shengchaoli multilevelgovernanceoflowcarbontourisminruralchinapolicyevolutionimplementationpathwaysandsocioecologicalimpacts |