Sustainability: Learning from National Parks

Public lecture by Dr Chaozhi Zhang, Distinguished Professor of Tourism, Fudan University and 2024 UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow.

In many countries, national parks are crucial for preserving heritage and promoting sustainable tourism. However, climate change has significantly impacted these parks, leading to substantial losses in both natural resources, such as forests and wildlife, and cultural heritage, including indigenous traditions. There is a global call for innovative and sustainable strategies to balance tourism, heritage preservation, and policy compliance.

Drawing from his extensive experience with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, one of China's most renowned national parks, Professor Chaozhi Zhang will discuss ways to integrate sustainability, authenticity, and economic development to create a strong ecosystem for national parks. Professor Zhang will also present specific strategies for promoting sustainable development.

Dr Chaozhi Zhang is a Distinguished Professor of Tourism at Fudan University, and also serves as the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Tourism at UNESCO Designated Sites. Professor Chang is deeply engaged in the field of sustainable development within tourism, with a special focus on issues related to tourism destination development and management in cultural and natural heritage sites. He is an expert panel member on several international organizations, including UN Tourism, World Economic Forum, ICOMOS-ICTC, IUCN-WCPA in the area of sustainable tourism.

Professor Zhang has published more than 150 papers in both international and domestic peer reviewed journals and five books. He has also received over more than 10 research grants funded by UNESCO, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Social Science Foundation of China in the past two decades. Professor Zhang also serves as an editorial board member or guest editor for numerous prestigious international journals, including Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management and the Journal of Destination Marketing and Management

Professor Zhang is a 2024 UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow, working with colleagues Associate Professor Fang Liu in the UWA Business School and Professor Wenhua Zhao in the UWA Oceans Institute.