Development of coastal tourism and homestays on Dachangshan Dao, Liaoning Province, north east China

In China, tourism is being actively developed and is evolving towards a more openeconomy form. Coastal tourism is encouraged but has come into conflict with other uses and sustainable development is an issue. Dachangshan Dao, the second largest island in the Changshan island group in Liaoning Province, off the Yellow Sea, provides an opportunity to assess one form of island tourism under development. The study provides valuable lessons on the local community’s involvement in island tourism. In response to domestic tourism demand at Yangjia Beach on Dachangshan Dao, the government has allowed the fishing community on this beach to operate homestays. This paper analyzed the morphological changes of their homes into homestays and the transformation of the local fishers to homestay operators. As tourism develops, conflicting interests have emerged between the homestay operators, the private developers, and the government agencies. The nature of empowerment, conflicts or harmony among the different stakeholders was studied and the power structure behind these phenomena was analyzed. In addition, the accommodation capacity and the facility capacity of the homestays were assessed. Policy, legislation and planning relating to the homestays were also evaluated. Finally, improvements to the homestays and their future were discussed.