Difference in local residents′ tourism impact perception and attitude toward nature conservation from the perspective of community involvement: An empirical study of Shennongjia Pilot National Park

By taking the Shennongjia Pilot National Park as the case and employing questionnaire survey and statistical analysis tool, the authors study the impacts of tourism on the attitude of local residents toward nature conservation in national parks of China through the comparative analysis of group difference between the local residents participating in tourism and those not. The research indicates that: (1) the majority of local residents have stronger perception of positive tourism impacts than negative ones, and the residents participating in tourism have more perception of positive tourism impact than those not. However, the latter has stronger perception of some negative impacts of tourism than the former; (2) most of local residents hold positive attitude toward nature conservation in the Shennongjia Pilot National Park. However, there exists significant difference in terms of their level between the residents participating in tourism and those not. Specifically speaking, compared with the latter, the former values more the importance of nature conservation, and recognizes more the necessity of nature conservation, and agrees more the function of establishing the Shennongjia Pilot National Park in nature conservation, and is more willing to follow management policy of the park. This paper reveals the positive impact of national park tourism on local residents′ attitude toward nature conservation, which deepens the study of national park issue and provides park decision-makers with scientific supports for the recreational use of natural resource and has prominent academic value and practical significance. Considering the positive role of national park tourism in the formation of nature conservation attitude of local residents, the national park authorities in China should treat tourism objectively when making park policies. Under the precondition of not jeopardizing the conservation and management goal of national park, tourism development should be encouraged in a rational and sustainable way to earn the support of park residents to the nature conservation efforts by park management authorities.