Guiyang (China), Nov 23 (EFE).- Tourism has become one of the ways to eradicate poverty in inland provinces of China such as Guizhou, although challenges persist about how to preserve local traditions and authenticity in the face of the increasing number of travelers.
The province, similar in size to Uruguay and with 38 million inhabitants, is famous in China for its complex orography: mountains and hills occupy 92.5% of its territory.
This geography is one of the factors that has hindered the development of Guizhou, which in 2023 ranked as the fourth Chinese province with the lowest per capita income, with 54,236 yuan (7,490 dollars, 7,100 euros).
More than a decade ago, authorities began to include tourism as a prominent tactic within the framework of the campaign against poverty, one of the star policies of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The president proclaimed in 2021 that the country had eradicated extreme poverty, set by the Chinese Government in 2019 at a threshold of 4,000 yuan per year or 1.6 dollars per day, while the one established by the World Bank in 2017 is 2 .15 dollars daily.
The influence of tourism
Guizhou was identified by the authorities as a region with potential for the development of tourism thanks to natural landscapes such as the Huangguoshu Falls, the largest waterfall in China, or the Shuanghedong Cave, with a length of 400 kilometers.
In addition, the presence of 17 ethnic minorities, such as the Miao and the Dong, with their traditions, architecture and festivals, place the province as one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, with 1,284 million visits in 2023, according to authorities. .
“The recent development of tourism has been a great help for rural revitalization,” the director of the Provincial Government Information Office, Chen Benrong, explained to EFE, adding that the sector “has injected great energy” into the local economy. .
According to official data, almost 900,000 people in Guizhou escaped poverty as of September 2019 thanks to the tourism sector.
However, this activity has substantially modified the lives of its inhabitants.
“Tourism has caused numerous local inhabitants to abandon their lands and their hunting and fishing traditions to be hired by agencies and hotel companies, while others have become small merchants, artisans, and dance and singing artists in tourist centers,” he indicated. researcher Tai-Chee Wong in a study about the rise of the tourism sector in Guizhou.
Thus, some tourists lament a certain loss of authenticity: “It’s all pretty, but sometimes it’s too commercial,” a couple from the southeastern city of Canton on a trip to Guizhou told EFE.
A difficult balance
Wang, a worker with more than 10 years of experience in Guizhou’s tourism industry who preferred to use a pseudonym, told EFE that “if an area is not commercialized, there will be no people visiting it; no matter how well its status is preserved.” original, will never be known”.
Meanwhile, official Chen asserted that “the destruction of culture due to excessive tourism is a global problem,” although “inhabitants of minority ethnic groups in traditional towns also aspire to a modern life.”
In that sense, Wang stated that, “for people who live near scenic spots,” commercialization “is undoubtedly positive,” as it has allowed them to escape poverty, although “this is not necessarily positive for the cultural development or for ecological conservation”.
“When a place is not excessively commercialized, it can last for decades or even centuries,” explains the worker, who warns that overcrowding “can cause a tourist destination to consume all of its value in a few decades.”
Although “the majority of travel agencies are still based on original models,” the expert pointed out that in the last two years some agencies in the province offer less crowded proposals.
In the village of Benzhai stone houses, performer Zhu with all our strength to transmit the art. It does not matter if they do it well or badly in the future, the important thing is that it is transmitted to the next generation.
Alvaro Alfaro
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Considering the concerns raised by [Guest 1] regarding the authenticity of the Guizhou tourism experience, what concrete measures can be taken to ensure that tourism development preserves the region’s cultural heritage while driving economic growth?
## Interview: Tourism and Poverty Alleviation in Guizhou
**Host:** Welcome to today’s interview where we’ll be discussing a fascinating case study in sustainable development: the role of tourism in poverty alleviation within Guizhou province, China. We are joined today by two distinguished guests: [**Guest 1 Name**, researcher specializing in Chinese economic development] and [**Guest 2 Name**, representative of a tourism agency operating in Guizhou]. Welcome to both of you.
**Section 1: Tourism as a Tool for Poverty Reduction
**Host:** Guizhou, with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, has been aggressively pursued by the Chinese government as a major tourism destination. [Guest 1], your research focuses on the impacts of such policies. Can you share some insights into how tourism has contributed to poverty reduction in Guizhou, and what makes this region particularly suitable for tourism development?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], you work firsthand with tourists visiting Guizhou. From your perspective, how has the tourism industry benefited local communities? Can you provide examples of specific initiatives or projects that have directly improved the livelihoods of the people?
**Guest 2:**
**Section 2: Balancing Development with Preservation
**Host:** While tourism can be a powerful tool for economic growth, it can also pose challenges to cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. [Guest 1], your research highlights some concerns regarding the authenticity of the Guizhou tourism experience. Can you elaborate on these concerns and discuss the potential negative impacts of unchecked tourism growth?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], how does your tourism agency address these concerns? What steps are being taken to ensure that tourism development in Guizhou is both environmentally and culturally sustainable? Are there any unique approaches or initiatives you are implementing to mitigate the potential negative impacts?
**Guest 2:**
**Section 3: The Future of Tourism in Guizhou
**Host:** Looking forward, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing tourism in Guizhou? [Guest 1], how can policymakers and local communities strike a balance between economic growth and cultural preservation?
**Guest 1:**
**Host:** [Guest 2], what strategies will your agency adopt to ensure the continued success and sustainability of tourism in Guizhou? How can tourism be leveraged to further empower local communities and contribute to their long-term well-being?
**Guest 2:**
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights. This conversation has shed light on the complexities and potential of tourism as a tool for poverty alleviation. It’s clear that a nuanced and collaborative approach is essential to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared widely and that Guizhou’s unique cultural and natural heritage are preserved for generations to come.
