Yunnan Province Sustainable Tourism Initiative China

What

China’s economic development and modernization have been occurring at a rapid pace, and Yunnan has been no exception. With increasing pressures from tourism and other industries, the region’s treasured natural and cultural landscapes have been at risk.

In 2005, the Yunnan Province Tourism Development Master Plan, developed by the Yunnan Bureau of Tourism, U. N. World Tourism Organization, and the National Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China aimed for more than 50 million tourists by year 2010, but without addressing the carrying capacity of the province’s exceptional historic and cultural resources and its fragile eco-systems.

In 2007, the 17th CCP Congress in Beijing was announced that environmental conservation and sustainable development, as well as the alleviation of poverty in rural areas, were to be among the most urgent policies to be implemented over the next five years. Yunnan Province was designated as a demonstration site.

Activities & Services

Responding to the Congress’ declaration and the designation, the Center for United States-China Arts Exchange consulted with its colleagues in the Yunnan government and the Southwest Forestry College to initiate a forum to discuss sustainable development practices and policies. This was held in the City of Dali on June-July 2008.

The Center team toured several cultural and natural sites in Yunnan Province and produced a report that set out a plan for sustainable tourism development throughout the Province.

The Forum set out five primary goals for Yunnan Province:

  • Safeguard Yunnan’s fragile natural and cultural resources.
  • Help establish China as a global frontrunner in sustainable development.
  • Enhance awareness of China and Yunnan’s distinctive heritage and resources. 
  • Utilize best practices and insights gained from other destinations to guide Yunnan’s endeavors in sustainable development.
  • Expand collaboration already established for Yunnan through the Center for United States-China Arts Exchange.