Zhenfen Shen
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Research
Chinese Ecotourists and Ecotourism in China: A Reflection on European Ecological Modernization Theory and Chinese Traditional Ecological Philosophy
Zhenfen’s research aims to assess the potential for a national ecotourism model by comparing two propositions within ecotourism with the practices at two urban ecotourism sites – Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP) and Shen Zhen Wetland Park (SZWP). The propositions are: (1) European ecological modernization (EM) is used as the theoretical framework to analyze the Chinese ecotourism model from a development perspective; and the (2) Chinese traditional ecological philosophy (TEP) is employed to consider the role played by environmental ethics in the Chinese ecotourism industry, and by ecotourists in China.
The research considers whether EMT and TEP can co-exist within the ecotourism model that is expected to be developed. It is argued that a more sustainable ecotourism model might be established by unifying the traditional environmental ethics of ‘the unity of humankind and nature’ with modern environmental theories such as European ecological modernization. A comparative analysis is undertaken to illustrate in which ways the two case studies look similar and draw lessons from their different experiences.
Given the explorative nature of this research, the findings might support integrated research and practices in urban areas in particular, meanwhile, by investigating how the framework works in urban areas; it is expected to have broad implications in ecotourism practices in rural and coastal areas, and therefore add to the understanding and applicability of the ecotourism model in general. More specifically, this research can stimulate tourism researchers to explore the utilization of combining traditional cultural values with modern environmental theories particularly those related to ecotourism in developing countries in seeking to develop a sustainable ecotourism framework.
Zhenfen’s research aims to assess the potential for a national ecotourism model by comparing two propositions within ecotourism with the practices at two urban ecotourism sites – Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP) and Shen Zhen Wetland Park (SZWP). The propositions are: (1) European ecological modernization (EM) is used as the theoretical framework to analyze the Chinese ecotourism model from a development perspective; and the (2) Chinese traditional ecological philosophy (TEP) is employed to consider the role played by environmental ethics in the Chinese ecotourism industry, and by ecotourists in China.
The research considers whether EMT and TEP can co-exist within the ecotourism model that is expected to be developed. It is argued that a more sustainable ecotourism model might be established by unifying the traditional environmental ethics of ‘the unity of humankind and nature’ with modern environmental theories such as European ecological modernization. A comparative analysis is undertaken to illustrate in which ways the two case studies look similar and draw lessons from their different experiences.
Given the explorative nature of this research, the findings might support integrated research and practices in urban areas in particular, meanwhile, by investigating how the framework works in urban areas; it is expected to have broad implications in ecotourism practices in rural and coastal areas, and therefore add to the understanding and applicability of the ecotourism model in general. More specifically, this research can stimulate tourism researchers to explore the utilization of combining traditional cultural values with modern environmental theories particularly those related to ecotourism in developing countries in seeking to develop a sustainable ecotourism framework.
Supervisors
Biography
Zhenfen is from Hong Kong. She obtained her BA in Tourism Management from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, in 2004. She then studied for a MA in Tourism, Environment and Development at King’s College London completing in 2007. Her master’s thesis examines tourist motivation and behaviour of British and Chinese tourists visiting each other’s country.
