Livelihood sustainability in a rural tourism destination - Hetu Town, Anhui Province, China

Tourism impacts the livelihoods of destination communities for both good and ill. This study restructures the sustainable livelihood framework to analyze tourism and rural sustenance at Hetu Town, Anhui Province, China. A mixed methods research design is adopted, incorporating a quantitative questionnaire survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from April 2015 to February 2016. Improvements in livelihood diversity were identified with most residents adopting a multi-activity strategy using synergistic relationships between tourism and other sources of income, thereby enhancing overall livelihood sustainability. However, freedom to engage in new livelihoods varies as those with limited assets are difficult to participate in tourism. An income gap has emerged within the community. Such social risks have not been considered by the local government and are not reflected in local policies. Practical implications are discussed to enhance tourism participation and ensure appropriate benefit sharing with an emphasis on the roles of government.