Exploring the future of rural tourism in China from the experience of rural development in New Zealand

At 7 p.m. on June 15, 2023, co-host by China Academy of Culture and Tourism (CACT), Beijing Tourism Society and MTA/MBA Center of Beijing International Studies University (BISU), Research Center for Central Asian Culture and Tourism, and Research Center of ASEAN Economy Culture and Tourism, the 31st Huang Danian Pioneer Forum of culture and tourism was held as scheduled on Tencent Meeting online. Dr. Shen Fujun, Director of the New Zealand-China International Training Center, was specially invited to be the keynote speaker of this forum. Professor Wang Xin, Vice Dean of CACT presided over the forum. Associate Professor Wu Liyun from CACT presided over the forum.

At the beginning of this forum, Associate Professor Wu Liyun introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Shen Fujun to the online students and expressed the sincere welcome to him. 

Fig1. The 31st Huang Danian Pioneer Forum of culture and tourism was held online. 

With the title "Tourism and China's Rural Revitalization Strategy: The New Zealand Experience", Dr. Shen made his sharing from his own experience, the rural revitalization strategy, the reference of New Zealand, the basic situation of New Zealand, and the inspiration of New Zealand's experience to China's rural revitalization strategy. First of all, Dr. Shen introduced his initial intention to be exposed to rural tourism and his achievements in the research of rural sustainable development from his own experience. Secondly, Dr. Shen explained the proposal, goals and requirements of the rural revitalization strategy in detail, so that the students realized the difference between the rural revitalization strategy and rural poverty alleviation and the significance of the rural revitalization strategy. In the third part, Dr. Shen compared the national conditions of New Zealand and China, and said that the two countries have similarities in politics, economy and culture, and the experience of rural development in New Zealand is very useful. In the fourth part, Dr. Shin introduced the environment of New Zealand in detail, made the students deeply realize that the slogan “the 100% pure New Zealand” is true, and introduced the basis of developing rural tourism in New Zealand from the aspects of agriculture and rural areas. In addition, Dr. Shen introduced the current situation of rural New Zealand from three aspects: China's modernization and rural revitalization strategy, restrictive factors of agricultural industrialization, and ecological livable rural construction. Finally, based on the theory of tourism system theory and sustainable livelihood approach, Dr. Shen analyzed the difference between tourism as livelihood and agriculture in the context of rural revitalization from the perspectives of production and consumption respectively. He believed that tourism is a big environment and there are differences between tourism and sustainable rural livelihood, and put forward the framework of sustainable tourism livelihood. 

Fig2. Dr. Shen Fujun gave a vivid explanation. 

After the sharing, Associate Professor Wu Liyun made a brief summary of Dr. Shen Fujun's speech, believing that New Zealand's rural development experience has important reference significance for China's rural revitalization. After that came the time for questions. The students actively asked questions, and Dr. Shen gave in-depth answers on the gap between the rich and the poor in rural tourism, international experience, vertical management of education and medical care, etc., which benefited the students a lot. The forum ended a great success! 

Fig3. The section of question 

The 31st Huang Danian Cultural and Tourism Pioneer Forum was successfully held, bringing the students together to understand the current situation of rural development in New Zealand and the national background of China's rural revitalization strategy, and to learn the framework of sustainable tourism livelihood. Huang Danian Cultural Tourism Pioneer Forum will continue to uphold the principle of high quality and high quantity, and build a high-quality academic forum for students, looking forward to meeting you next time!

The success of the 31st Huang Danian Pioneer Forum of culture and tourism brought students together, making them have a deeper understanding of the current situation of rural development in New Zealand and the national background of China's rural revitalization strategy, and letting students learn the framework of sustainable tourism livelihood. The Forum will continue to uphold the principle of high quality and high quantity, building high-quality academic forums for students. Look forward to meeting you next time!