Tourists' Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism Development of Tianzhu Mountain in Anhui Province, China.

Abstract

This research aims to examine tourists’ perception of the sustainable tourism development of the Tianzhu Mountain in Anhui Province, China. It reviews tourists’ opinions on three sustainability aspects of tourism (economic, environmental and socio-cultural aspects) and assess differences among tourist demographics. The research used non-random convenient sampling. 384 questionnaires were distributed to tourists who traveled to Tianzhu Mountain between October 2013 and March 2013. The findings show that the tourists’ demographics (education and income) have a strong effect on the economic, environmental and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. Additionally, tourists’ age has a strong effect on the environmental aspects of tourism development and tourists’ occupation has a strong impact on the socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A series of recommendations are made based on these findings.