Toward an ecological civilization: Mass comprehensive ecotourism indications among domestic visitors to a Chinese wetland protected area

Abstract

Large-scale park-visitor symbiosis remains an aspiration despite the need for new models to address the challenges of managing contemporary protected area systems. A survey of 1050 visitors to the Red Beach National Scenic Corridor in Northeast China, however, indicates a latent potential, with 36.0% qualifying as “enthused ecotourists” and 32.4% as “ecotourists” based on claimed adherence to basic ecotourism characteristics. Another 17.2% are “hands-on greens” also amenable to participation in on-site park enhancement activities but neutral about nature learning. “Ambivalents” account for the remaining 14.4% of the sample. High overall proclivity to participate, report misbehavior, and behave in a more environmentally responsible manner as a result of their Red Beach visit constitutes a basis for mass comprehensive ecotourism that can achieve park-visitor symbiosis and contribute significantly to the creation of an ecological civilization, as long as attendant strategies incorporate distinctive Chinese tendencies in ecotourism and outdoor recreation.