Impacts of Tourism on the Coastal Environment of South China Sea: Terrestrial Perspective

At recent times, Asia and the Pacific have been rated very high as major tourism destinations. This transdisciplinary (nature and social science concepts) study reveals that tourism activities generate pressure on forest ecosystems and coastal biodiversity. Dongguan forest (site) park attracted impact on terrestrial ecosystem with impact base respondent (9 000), while Shenzhen (18 000), Guangzhou (18 000) and Zhuhai (12 000) districts showed much higher values on general impact. A coastal activity survey and impact base of visitor response model evaluation was used. A general impact and causative platform were identified as driving fundamental (direct/indirect) factors in the region. Subjective and observed broad impacts were presented however; trampling had a major terrestrial impact on both ecosystems. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the economic impact of tourism in the region using industrial, urban and tourism potential factors after the 2008 Olympic Games in China. Strategies for appropriate action and government regulations are recommended concepts of terrestrial and coastal conservation planning and land use.