Abstract:It is complicated to handle and coordinate multiple relationships among different factors in tourism development and tourism planning. Also, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of environment protection, as well as people-oriented thought in trans-region tourism development. Therefore, it is vital for a tourist destination to have its unique features and seek regional cooperation. The thought of "Harmony with distinctiveness" can help to make scientific decisions and strategies. The thought, which is originally put forward by Confucius, penetrates various fields in traditional Chinese culture and is still valuable in modern society. The core of the thought is harmony, and the inherent mechanism is to coordinate relationships between wholes and wholes, wholes and parts, parts and parts. That means "harmony as a whole and keep individual characteristics of parts at the same time". The thought is carried out step by step. Firstly, the "human-earth harmony" is decided as the highest goal in order to keep sustainable development and long-term benefit of generations. Secondly, the common goals, which are general goals need different parts working together, should be achieved. Thirdly, special tourism zones, and unique scenic spots should be established and functional divisions should be worked out. The thought could balance the overall goals and the individual goals by differentiating functions and responsibilities of different organizations in different levels by emphasizing cooperation of every part, and coordination between central and local governments, between government and market,and between different departments. There are three ways to achieve "Harmony with distinctiveness" in tourism development, which are Single Centre Model, Multi-cluster Model and Pole-axis System Model. As a Pole-axis System Model, the Silk Road Tourism Planning fully embodies "Harmony with distinctiveness", which will promote regional development. Finally, the authors point out that the thought of "Harmony with distinctiveness" is a universal principle, and has maneuverability as well.
王瑜, 吴殿廷, 朱桃杏. 论旅游开发中的“和而不同”——以丝绸之路为例[J]. 人文地理, 2011, 26(2): 128-132.
WANG Yu, WU Dian-ting, ZHU Tao-xing. THE “HARMONY WITH DISTINCTIVENESS” IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT——Based on the Case of the Silk Road. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, 2011, 26(2): 128-132.