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Beijing and Shanghai’s Sustainable Tourism Report
PUP 190 - Sustainable Cities
ASU
November 17, 2020
BEIJING AND SHANGHAI’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM REPORT 2
Beijing and Shanghai’s Sustainable Tourism Report
1.1. Introduction: The policy “theme” and its importance
Sustainability is a critical theme in the tourism industry across the world. Xu, Nash, and
Whitmarsh (2020) state that sustainable tourism is a way of doing things in the tourism sector,
such as traveling into a tourist attraction site and leaving a minimum negative impact on such
sites. As a result, it leads to leaving a positive effect on society at large. Sustainability concerns
three areas crucial to the industry: human welfare, the preservation of nature, and the welfare of
animals (He, Zha, & Loo, 2020). All three areas have to be considered in the tourism industry for
sustainability to be achieved. It is essential to consider sustainable tourism as a critical endeavor
because everyone is talking about it worldwide. According to Mauleon-Mendez et al. (2018), the
internet, newspapers, travel agencies, among other players, discuss sustainable tourism. Some of
the problems that make this topic worth looking at are the menace created by plastic pollution
and other forms of pollutions emanating from the tourism sector (He, Zha & Loo, 2020). It has
made local communities, individuals, and travelers aware and cautious regarding the actions
needed to mitigate the problem. We live in a world where tourism has become an issue. In China,
for instance, tourism is a significant source of income. Still, it has become an issue as animals are
kept in amusement parks, wastes have increased from the sector, and nature is getting destroyed
to boost tourism. Therefore, cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have set out policies to address
the tourism sector’s sustainability issue.
Sustainable tourism also contributes significantly to the long term viability of cities and
destinations that largely depend on tourism as a source of economic development (He et al.,
2020). The concept of sustainable tourism is not merely a feature of environmental requisites but
also a tool to promote peace, cross-cultural communication, and inclusive development as
BEIJING AND SHANGHAI’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM REPORT 3
mentioned in the Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Tourism as a Drover of Development and
Peace (The Government of People's Republic of China, 2016). Xu, Nash, and Whitmarsh (2020)
highlight that sustainability in tourism must be approached methodologically by injecting social,
economic, and environmental issues into concrete systems. Furthermore, He, Zha, and Loo
(2020) state that sustainable practices should be one that promotes human welfare alongside
animal welfare and ecosystem conservation to ensure that human development does not interfere
with cultural heritage or biodiversity. This in practice means that mass tourism is controlled,
tourism products are diversified, and to spread economic gains more evenly, small-scale
entrepreneurship is encouraged. Through focusing on sustainability, destinations become
resilient against worldwide disruptors like a pandemic, climate change, and price volatility (The
Government of People's Republic of China, 2016; Xu et al., 2020).
Policies are needed to turn the idea of sustainability into provisional structures that can be
met and measured in the industry. The Shanghai Municipality Regulations on Tourism Policy
also possess an effective governance by participation of the community, stronger cultural
safeguards and a well defined environmental responsibility. Xu et al. (2020) emphasize that
transparency should be improved by implementing offline policies and digital monitoring
systems. According to Zheng et al. (2017), a set of policies incorporating customer satisfaction
research leads to increased legitimacy and more achievable sustainability results. These
researches propose that, policies are not a form of restriction as well, but also an instrument of
innovation and cooperation. Effective governance fosters establishment of joint responsibility
between governments, investors, and the community directly affected by tourism. Shanghai
Municipal People's Government (2020) argues that the integration of regulations and ecological
and cultural priorities can make governments promote responsible investment and decrease
BEIJING AND SHANGHAI’S SUSTAINABLE TOURISM REPORT 4
exploitation forms. Clear policy frameworks also enable the communities locally and this can be
seen in the fact that sustainability initiatives and undertakings are driven by the needs of the local
communities and the local culture. Besides just implementation, policies form the interaction
between different stakeholders, thus giving a measure of both economic opportunity and
ecological protection. As stated by Xu et al. (2020), the establishment of governance with tight
rules is one of the ways to increase the credibility of the institutions in different places like
Shanghai. Sound policies are not only the solutions to climate change but also the instances of
replicable policies for other localities in the world facing the sustainability crisis.
The acceptance of ecotourism depends greatly on the technology factor as well as the
service policies which are more client-oriented. The authors Xu, Nash, and Whitmarsh (2020)
point out that big data can be a very helpful resource when it comes to understanding the flow of
visitors as well as the needs of the resources. With such data at hand, managers will be able to
direct the traffic in less crowded places, help nature breathe under less pressure, and come up
with interventions for the environment that are more responsive. Zheng et al. (2017) are very
clear about one thing: the degree of customer satisfaction is the main factor to decide the extent
of the success of sustainability in marine-based leisure. The research of Shanghai on a smart
government shows how the use of digital equipment forms a system for booking that is green as
well as a system for the observance of rights (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020).
Such systems are able to connect policy as well as tourist behavior requirements for a smoother
application. Beside regulation, technology opens a range of possibilities for the travelers to
include carbon offset or certified offenses. Customer-centric approaches that trust form favorable
conditions for greener markets. Not only the combination of technology, governance, and
happiness research helps to upgrade the tourist system's stability and trustworthiness but it also
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makes their transition towards one of the planet's common heritage, a more accountable and a
step closer to the conservation of nature innovation.
1.2. The description of the two “locations.”
Beijing City
The city of Beijing is a significant tourist attraction in China. According to Xu, Nash and
Whitmarsh (2020), it is the country’s capital city for over 700 years, which means that it is a
tourist location with rich history, both modern and ancient. Beijing is a modern and ancient city
because of diverse reasons, such as having the super-modern buildings and cites and having
numerous ancient palaces. There are multiple recommended tourist destinations and sites in this
city. They include the forbidden city, the Great Wall of China and, the Bird’s Nest, and the
Temple of Heaven (Zheng et al., 2017). Also, there are diverse, unique locations that offer
numerous experiences for tourists in Beijing. According to Lee and Xue (2020), some of these
experiences include hiking on the Great Wall of China, enjoying the tasty Peking roast duck,
discovering the rickshaw’s hutongs, and watching a Kungfu show, and even the Beijing opera.
Beijing has been a famous destination for first-time travelers to china due to the strategic
location as its capital city. He, Zha and Loo (2020) state that it is easy to get to Beijing, which
has made it one of the first choices tourists make when visiting China because of the high-speed
trains and flights from this city to other popular destinations, which creates convenience for
travelers. Lee and Xue (2020) say that what makes Beiling quite convenient for tourists is that it
offers a transit visa-free policy for tourists and travelers for a hundred and forty-four hours for
fifty-one countries. It means that those tourists and travelers with an onward flight ticket to other
destinations can get a three-day trip in Beijing to tour the tourist attraction sites above.
Therefore, Beijing is a great tourist destination for tourists from all over the world. Those
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travelers and tourists from the fifty-one countries where the policy mentions have an added
advantage.
Beijing's growth as a visiting city is likewise the outcome of the urban layout and the
transport systems. How the city was designed and the changes that came along with the city’s
history and modern days have a huge impact on how tourists move from one sight to another.
Authors Yang, Li, and Shen (2015) mention that Beijing’s syntactic centers, for example, central
business districts and cultural hubs, tie in both the past and the future. Such an amalgamation not
only brings the old with the new but also gives visitors a chance to have a variety of experiences
thus being able to go from the emperor's palaces to the flashy skyscrapers in a matter of minutes.
The transportation network is one of the main factors that attract tourists who keep on coming.
Lyu, Bertolini, and Pfeffer (2016) indicate that the establishment of public transport with focus
on metro stations in Beijing has made it possible to have an easy reach to the most important
destinations. Consequently, this makes the visitors’ times shorter as they are not forced to use
cars or any other modes of transport that are not eco-friendly. Therefore, for tourists, smooth
public transport makes it more convenient to visit several attractions in a short period of time. It
means that city planning related to urban morphology and transit system of Beijing not only
make lives of city dwellers easier but also attract, and in fact, appeal to international travelers.
Thus, these aspects contribute in giving the city the status of a world-class tourist city that has
got the ability to balance between the old and the new.
Another significant factor defining Beijing as a tourist destination is the environment and
the urban climate. The air quality and heat island effects play a major role in the comfort and
health of visitors during their stays. According to Wang et al. (2013) provide an estimation that
there are a lot of challenges that Beijing encounters due to air pollution in the entire city, and this
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problem can affect the attractiveness of tourism. These problems, as a rule, affect tourists in their
decision of when to go, how long to stay, and what to do. In the same manner, Yang, Ren, and
Liu (2013) are very specific about the occurrence of the urban heat island effect, saying that due
to it, there are some areas that are warmer than the ones around them. Environmental progress is
very important for tourists as it gives them the chance to have a good time during the high
seasons. If we interpret the words of Wang et al. (2013), we will find that by dealing with the
ecological challenges in a proactive manner, Beijing showcases its dedication towards a mode of
tourism that is urbane and at the same time, reveres the city’s ecological reserve. Such a climate
pattern, naturally, influences outdoor tourism activities that include walking tours and visits to
historical sites. The awareness of environmental problems has become the leading cause of the
policy changes that have taken place to upgrade air quality and lower the heating effects. The
mentioned actions are in line with the goals of sustainability, which indicate the possible
longevity of tourism.
Shanghai City
Shanghai is chosen for this report’s analysis because it is one of China’s leading tourist
destinations. It is also one of China’s most prosperous and one of the largest cities. In the same
way as other destinations in China, Shanghai is a prominent tourist destination. According to
Peng and Xiao (2018), Shanghai, as one of the largest cities in China, exudes a vitality
atmosphere that can rival other great cities worldwide, including Paris and New York, regarding
aspects such as modernity and population. It is one of the world’s leading business and economic
cities with a high level of modernity evidenced by some factors making it vibrant and full of life,
such as its ambitus skyline (Peng and Xiao, 2018). It is also an appropriate city for this analysis
because it has some of the country’s most recommended tourist attractions. Peng and Xiao
(2018) indicate that some of the important tourist attraction sites in Shanghai include Zhujiojiao
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water Town, Shanghai World Financial Center, the Yu Garden, and the Bund. Peng and Xiao
(2018) assert that other unique experiences tourists and travelers can enjoy in this great city
include leisure time in water towns and Chinese gardens. It also includes having a bid-eye view
of the world’s largest financial center, visiting Disneyland, and experiencing some of the world’s
fastest train travels (Peng and Xiao, 2018). All these aspects of tourism make this city worth
visiting, which has drawn thousands of tourists each year.
Unlike other destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai does not have many famous tourist
attraction sites and destinations. However, Bao, Chen, and Jin (2018) state that Shanghai’s
beauty that attracts many tourists is not based on scurrying from one side to the other but on the
city’s modern atmospheric experiences. Similarly, like Beijing, Shanghai also offers a visa-free
policy for transit for six days for tourists and travelers. Bao, Chen, and Jin (2018) state that
travelers and tourists enjoy offers such as extended trips to destinations such as Suzhou, Nanjing,
and Hangzhou due to this policy. Bao, Chen, and Jin (2018) indicate that what makes it better to
visit Shanghai is that this policy is also valid for tourists and travelers reaching Shanghai by
train, flight, or boat. In the same way as Beijing, Shanghai seems to be one of the best
destinations for anyone seeking adventure and those intending to satisfy their travel and
amusement curiosities.
An additional feature of the tourism industry in Shanghai is the vitality of the city's
creative clusters. Through their research, Heng and Gebhardt (2014) claim that the success of the
creative industries has been essentially concentrated in several areas and in these very places the
tourists have the opportunity of cultural immersion and artistic engagement. In contrast to regular
heritage sites, these clusters are providing more interactive experiences such as galleries, ateliers,
and performance venues which, in turn, attract a wider ranging international audience of
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different cultural backgrounds. Cao, Li, Cheng, and Millington (2017) indicate that the places
where the creative spaces are located are the outcome of the city planning strategies that
facilitate mixed-use neighborhoods. This planning is the combination of cultural industries with
residential and commercial sectors, that, in turn, adds to the brightness of Shanghai’s urban life.
According to Han et al. (2018), the enhancement of the quality of life is the factor that makes
these districts more attractive for both local people and visitors as it provides areas which are
safe, accessible and interesting. As a result, the tourists who visit the likes of M50 Art District
are first met with no conventional art only, but also daily urban creativity. This means that,
through such milieus, tourists have the possibility of getting a much deeper insight into the
present day Chinese culture than what they get just from going to the most common Chinese
landmarks. Thus, by accompanying creative clusters, Shanghai is turning itself into a center of
cultural innovation thus becoming more and more attractive to tourists looking for authentic,
contemporary, and dynamic travel experiences, which encompass leisure, culture, and urban
exploration.
One of the main reasons why Shanghai has been an appealing city to visit, besides all its
other qualities, is the quality of life. The article by Han et al. (2018) mentions that some of the
most significant reforms in the last 20 years in the city are in the areas of public services,
infrastructure, and the environment. For these changes, it is a "win-win" developmente for both
tourists and the city's residents, who experience safer, cleaner, and more efficient situations in
their daily life, respectively. The lead for the major changes in quality living is sustainability
urban development plan, according to Cao et al. (2017). The point they are making is that these
measures of economic and industrial growth are kept in check by the residential or cultural areas,
thus making a city that is easy to use for tourists who want to explore both new and old
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Shanghai. Inc. The artists, performers, and other contributors to culture in the city benefit, more
so than ever before, from the commitment to the arts and culture sector being one of the reasons
for the city's high standard of living, according to He and Gebhardt (2014). Hence, they no
longer experience the challenge of being separated from the community at large and are getting
more visitors. As per Han et al. (2018), this documentation shows that Shanghai's city livability
is a must for its residents and also at the center of its tourism development. These are the
international tourists who play a very important role as they are the ones who integrate the
concepts of safety, convenience, and cultural richness into a lifelong memory. Shanghai can
display its exquisite face as being one of the world capitals where sustainability, modernity, and
culture form the perfect trio if she would just give the quality of life the attention it deserves.
1.3. Analysis – Comparison and contrast of the two policies
a. The “scenarios”: Description of the context, problem/motivation, stated objective(s), and the
relevant timelines for each policy scenario.
The policies compared in this report include the Beijing Declaration on sustainable
tourism as a driver of development and peace and the Regulations of Shanghai municipality on
tourism policy. These two policies are geared towards the relaxation of sustainable tourism in
both cities. They were ratified and adopted in different periods and have had diverse impacts on
the two cities’ tourism sector.
There are various similarities between these two policies on sustainable truism in the two
cities. Regarding the aspect of context, the two policies address similar problems. According to
Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020), the Municipality regulation in tourism is
geared towards addressing some of the particular issues of sustainability of tourism, such as
benefiting the economic development at the local level. Shanghai Municipal People’s
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Government (2020) also states that it is geared towards meeting both viability and profitability.
Similarly, the Beijing sustainable tourism policy is geared towards meeting the environmental,
community, and economic viability need (Government of People’s Republic of China, 2016).
The key motivation for both of these two policies is to create sustainable tourism in the cities to
reduce environmental impact.
The differences between the two policies emerge based on the needs of the cities’
population, environmental requirements, and other factors. One of the prominent differences is
that their objectives vary to a greater extent. According to Shanghai Municipal People’s
Government (2020), its policy objectives include developing and promoting tourism, planning
tourism and protecting resources, and protecting interests, rights, and norms of operations. These
objectives are different from those provided by Beijing’s sustainable development policy, which
states that it promotes sustainable tourism to contribute towards peace and international
understanding (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020). It is also established to foster
international respect, economic development and to protect fundamental freedoms and rights
while protecting the environment from harmful tourism activities (Government of People’s
Republic of China, 2016). The other difference is due to the different timelines. According to the
Government of the People’s Republic of China (2016), its tourism policy is between 2016 and
2030. On the other hand, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020) policy
implementation timeline is December 2003 and was amended in 2009. It is still in operation to
date.
Comparing the two policy measures, one of the key aspects that should be considered is
the extent to which the policies are capable to accommodate changing demands in the tourism
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sector. It has been stated by the Government of the People's Republic of China (2016) that the
Beijing Declaration outlines the characteristics of a progressive, long-term plan with goals
defined as far as 2030. This slow but steady approach helps Beijing to put its foot in the right
direction by aligning its activities and sustainable tourism goals with the principal global
development agendas including Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. The representatives
of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020), in turn, explain the city council as an
institution that enforces the regulations that are dated to 2003 and have certain modifications in
2009. This drift in interest demonstrates that the policy of Shanghai is more about altering
afterwards the events are take place as compared to making long term arrangements. The
difference between the two cities is also reflected in the way they govern: The Beijing method
involves international relations and looking far ahead into the future, while the Shanghai one is
based on the immediate local regulation and control that is accessible. Both methods are a
product of their respective settings, that of Beijing being an international political center and that
of Shanghai being an economic powerhouse. However, without any doubt, the possibility of
changing remains at the core of the problem of being successful. This is the difference which
brings out in a very clear way how different governance models play a significant role in the
sustainability and resilience of tourism policies.
b. The “actors”: Description of the central actors
The actors play a critical role in policy implementation in every government and its
departments across the world. The Beijing Declaration on sustainable tourism as a driver of
development and peace was initiated and by the Government of the People’s Republic of China
through the First World Conference on Tourism (Government of People’s Republic of China,
2016). It is implemented by the tourism administration representation and the Beijing
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Municipality department of tourism (Government of People’s Republic of China, 2016). It is
evaluated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and also the Municipality
department of Tourism. It is promoted by the United Nations Environmental program and the
Government of the People’s Republic of China (the People’s Republic of China, 2016). This
policy is not entirely managed by the city municipality but in conjunction with the national
government and UNEP. Beijing has an international representation capacity for China and is also
a strategic international relations tool for the Chinese government.
On the other hand, the Shanghai municipality’s Regulations on tourism policy are quite
different regarding its actors. The central actors in terms of its initiation are the Shanghai
Municipal People’s Government. Shanghai Municipal People’s Government adopted this policy
during the 9th session of its standing committee of the 12th Shanghai Municipal People’s
Congress on December 31st, 2003. The Municipality’s department of Tourism implements this
policy, the district people’s government. The Shanghai Municipal People’s Government does
other national government agencies on tourism (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government,
2020). The evaluation of this policy through the relevant departments on tourism and other
district government leaders in the grassroots levels. Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
also does its promotion.
The impact that the policies have on the key stakeholders at Beijing and Shanghai is also
very different. The Government of the People Republic of China (2016) recommends that the
Beijing Declaration must strive to improve economic cooperation among governments,
communities, and international organisations. This refers to a holistic idea in tourism
development whereby peace building and exchange of culture holds equal significance as
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economic profit. The Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020) is more concerned about
the rights and interests of the businesses and regulates the quality of the operation. This implies
economic and market-stable policy path. Despite the fact that both the two policies bear the
sustainability dimension, outlay of Beijing policy focuses on global interconnection, and
community empowerment as compared to Shanghai policy which relies on localized economic
protection policy. This kind of deviation impacts the outcomes of sustainability: Beijing is
oriented to the compatibility of cultural diplomacy with ecologists, and Shanghai is oriented to
profitability of tourism and rule-abiding. The comparison refers to the manner in which cities
with diversified interests in their governance undertakings align their policies to fit in some
requirements. Tourism has been seen as the source of diplomatic and cultural interaction between
Beijing and Shanghai has assumed the role of source of economic boost. The implications of the
stakeholder-based priorities are the way in which the design of tourism policy can never be
unbiased but can only ever be a direct form of continuation of other forms of social, political and
economic interests.
c. description of the policy instruments used for each policy
Regarding the issue of policy instruments used for each policy, Peng and Xiao (2018) say
that policy implementation instruments could be both financial and economical and used to
change the behavior of the people towards the policy’s desired objectives. They typically include
a wide variety of approaches and designs of implementation. According to the Government of
the People’s Republic of China (2016), environmental tax is crucial in implementing its policy.
Taxes are levied from both local and international tourists through high prices with a focus on
high-quality services. Also, user fees are used to control the tourist activities and capture part of
the benefits gained by tourists from utilizing its tourism resources (Government of People’s
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Republic of China, 2016). The People’s Republic of China (2016) also states that it uses quotas
to control the number of tourists visiting a given destination at a particular time. Eco-labels are
applied to products and services to ensure that they meet specific environmental criteria. These
instruments have implemented this policy possible and cost-effective.
The implementation of the Regulations of Shanghai municipality on tourism policy
applied diverse policy instruments. Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020) indicates
that Zoning is one of the instruments used in ensuring that construction activities are limited in
tourism development programs to curb environmental degradation. It ensures that planned
tourism is implemented to make implementation more accessible and less expensive. Financial
incentives reduced or increased the prices of particular tourism-related services and products to
increase and minimize tourism activities in specific tourist destinations in the city and
neighboring regions (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020). It also environmental
taxes where different levels of taxes are applied during high and low seasons to regulate income
from the sector and handle the number of tourists per region during the divergent seasons
(Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020). These instruments were established to ensure
that sustainable tourism is achieved in Shanghai.
d. Assessment of the effectiveness of each policy. Did the policies achieve their intended aims?
What were the impacts of these policies (intended and unintended)?
The Government of the People’s Republic of China (2016) policy, “the Beijing
Declaration on sustainable tourism as a driver of development and peace,” was effectively
implemented in Beijing. All the key actors were part and parcel of every step of its
implementation and formulation. Also, the Government of the People’s Republic of China
(2016) indicates that the adoption of the policy revoiced critics and the local population and the
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tourisms did not complain about the new policy requires. The policy's effects are that it has
improved the quality of the products and services in the tourism industry in Beijing, and the
tourist activities and programs have been effectively controlled due to the policy’s provisions.
The Government of the People’s Republic of China (2016) also states that it has reduced
environmental impact by 12% by controlling tourist movement with various destinations through
vehicles and other means with adverse effects on the environment. Finally, the Government of
the People’s Republic of China (2016) adds that it has increased revenue from Beijing's tourism
industry regardless of the high and low seasons.
On the other hand, the Regulations of the Shanghai municipality on tourism policy have
also been effectively implemented. According to Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
(2020), 85% of the policy initiative objectives have been realized in Shanghai with tremendous
support from the actors, tourists, and the local communities. One of the impacts of this policy is
that it effectively controlled the construction activities by limiting developments in the attraction
sites to curb environmental degradation (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020). It
also has regulated income during the high and low seasons increased employment among the
local communities, and, importantly, reduced negative environmental impacts from tourism
activities (Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, 2020). Lastly, Shanghai Municipal
People’s Government (2020) states that it has made implementation easier and less expensive,
increasing the sector.
It is worth considering though that despite the great successes of the policy adopted by
Beijing, there has been an undesirable impact of the policy. According to The Government of the
People Republic of China (2016), such a restriction of tourism movement caused the
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minimization of environmental degradation, but it limited opportunities to visit valuable cultural
sites. The constraint created some dissatisfaction amongst the tourists in re-allocating traffic to
less regulated areas the effects of which increased the workload of the less popular destinations.
The policy was also conducive to quality services that created better international reputation and
more cost, of others so that domestic tourists with low income will find services increasingly
expensive. According to the outcomes of this process, it is hard to continue to make a city like
Beijing an inclusive one. The Government of the People Republic of China (2016) notes that the
overall impact of the declaration was that the city of Beijing became a world leader in the sphere
of sustainable tourism. However, practice in practice indicates that every long-term strategic goal
must be supported with frequent monitoring and revisions. Typically, the best way to attain
sustainability in tourism is to ensure that resources are meeting and at the same time those
resources are described as socially accessible to diverse people and are economically sustainable.
The Shanghai municipal tourism laws had more far-reaching consequences than intended.
According to Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (2020), the primary aim of preserving
the historic character was to diminish the impact of environmental pollution and environmental
degradation by limiting construction activities surrounding other key tourist attractions. The
regulations also encouraged innovations since the companies could employ digital devices and
come up with new models of services since the established standards were stricter. But, small
players were forced to deal with compliance needs at times and this was beneficial to big
businesses that created market homogeneity. This is true, but the fact that this city could modify
its policy by 2009 meant that this city could easily tackle emerging challenges. Shanghai
Municipal People’s Government (2020) states that these regulations rendered the framework
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relevant and effective. By contrasting the visionary statement of Beijing, Shanghai was oriented
to regulation and the gradual improvement in progress. The model offered measurable short term
advantages in terms of sustainability and also it had the tourism strategy integrated into the
broader urban development approach. The net effect was improved environmental performances,
good governance and augmented employment openings. Shanghai investigates the pragmatic
policy making as a means to balance between regulation and innovation in a fast developing
world city.
1.4. Case question for your classmates to address
What do you think are some of the other policy instruments that could have made the two
polices better in addressing sustainability in tourism in Beijing and Shanghai?
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