A Community Livelihood Approach to Agricultural Heritage System Conservation and Tourism Development: Xuanhua Grape Garden Urban Agricultural Heritage Site, Hebei Province of China

TLDR

Agricultural heritage conservation and tourism can profoundly affect community livelihoods, making a livelihood‑focused approach essential for sustaining host communities. The study investigates how heritage conservation and tourism influence community livelihoods and sustainability in Guanhou Village, Xuanhua Grape Garden. Using a sustainable livelihood framework, the authors conducted in‑depth interviews with officials, leaders, and residents to assess these impacts. The research found that GIAHS designation boosts government support and public awareness, tourism offers a positive but limited economic benefit, and local livelihoods are threatened by urbanization, labor decline, and weak integration of agriculture and tourism, prompting recommendations to increase participation and tourism’s role in conservation.

Abstract

The designation, conservation and tourism development of agricultural heritage systems, which are embedded with intricate human–nature relations, could significantly influence community livelihoods. Therefore, a livelihood approach is critical for agricultural heritage conservation and the sustainability of the hosting community. Taking Guanhou Village, Xuanhua Grape Garden Urban Agricultural Heritage Site as an example, this study examines impacts of heritage conservation and tourism on the community livelihood system and its implications for community livelihood sustainability. A sustainable livelihood framework is adopted to guide the analysis. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with management officials, village leaders and village residents. The research identified the importance of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) designation on raising government support and public awareness on conservation. Tourism emerges as an alternative livelihood to some residents which exerts positive economic influence. However, tourism participation is currently at a low level which restricted the distribution of benefits. The sustainability of local rural livelihood is at risk due to the rapid urbanization, the decline of human resources and the insufficient integration of traditional agriculture with tourism. Practical implications were discussed to enhance local participation and tourism contribution to GIAHS conservation.