A Socio-economic Assessment on Sustainable Eco-tourism Development at Hsia-Liu-Chiu Island in Taiwan

Research PaperA balanced development between economic activities and environmental concern are profound in public and emphasized by the government policy. It is especially so with the change in working policy, thus the increase in leisure time for Eco-tourism. All along, fishing industry and marine based tourism have been major industries in Hsiao-Liu-Chiu Island and this study analyses the potential and value of developing a sustainable eco-tourism in Hsiao-Liu-Chiu Island. Questionnaires and on-site surveys are carried out to analyze the different challenges and issues facing the development of sustainable eco-tourism; suggestions are then forwarded in this with survey results that provide a guide for planners and managers. Fundamentally, this study based on Travel Cost Method (TCM) and Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to evaluate the benefits of developing leisure and recreation at Hsiao-Liu-Chiu by questionnaires and onsite survey. According to the survey and empirical results, it indicates that, majority of tourist are from southern, aged between 20 to 35, and main occupation is military, academic and student. Most tourist time is one-day, and natural landscape appreciate, touring with family, and visiting friends are the main motivation. The average traffic expense is NT$ 602 dollars, while on-site spending is NT$ 634 dollars. In general, majority of tourist have high expectation for Hsiao-Liu-Chiu recreational development, they are satisfied with the natural landscape and the artificial scenery, and more them half wish come back again. The empirical results indicate that, each tourist’s recreation benefits are NT$1,900.63 measured by TCM, and NT$1,700.79 the recreation benefits are measured by CVM. The overall benefits is NT$3.1 hundred million (TCM) and NT$2.78 hundred million (CVM) in 2001. Finally, this study provides suggestion for development, planner and management of leisure and recreational activities at Hsiao-Liu-Chiu Island