WHAT COULD TOURISM DO TO A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE: A CASE STUDY OF THE CITY OF WEIHAI, CHINA

Abstract

Weihai City, located on the east end of Shandong Peninsula in Northeastern China was once a small and remote fishing village. In recent years Weihai City has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in China. The tremendous development of tourism has had a significant impact on Weihai’s economy, physical environment, and culture. Weihai is now famous for the beautiful coastal scenery, high quality leisure living, and a strong Korean and increasingly Russian influence. This study examines the perception of Weihai residents on the position of Weihai as a tourist destination and also their vision of Weihai’s future tourism development. Based on the resident surveys and available secondary data, tourism impacts in Weihai can be said to be largely positive. Place attachment and a sense of pride about belonging to the place are noticeable among the locals. Economic data suggests overall prosperity, too. However, available evidence also highlights some strained relationships among the various stakeholder groups.