Abstract The development of modern tourism industry is based on the sustainable utilization of the tourist resources and on the effective protection of the environment. Beginning with the analysis of the existing situation and the problem of the tourism industry in the reservoir area, the features of its tourist resources, the profound influence of the Three Gorges project on its tourism industry, the paper discusses the development pattern and the sustainable utilization of its tourism industry. It's proposed that the area's tourist resources development should follow the non-balance spatial development pattern, and the "node-axis-net" strategic development pattern as well. In the end, the essay indicates the strategic development key point, which is "one line-two areas-three brands", and the approach to the sustainable utilization.
2001, Vol. 16 
