Agro-tourism in Wetlands: Current Status, Obstacles and Countermeasures

Natural wetlands cover 3.8% of China's territory, providing 54.9% of ecosystem services. To improve agricultural wetlands conservation and development, a wide range of positive measures should be undertaken. Sustainable tourism in agricultural wetlands, when properly managed and developed, plays a major part in protecting wetlands and supporting those working in and around wetlands through jobs and increasing incomes. Based on the analysis of sustainable agro-tourism in Bailizhou, Yichang City, the paper discusses the development status, obstacles and countermeasures for sustainable agro-tourism in wetlands. Lack of capacity of receiving tourists, viewable product processing and valuable farm commodities, and well-educated practitioner are barriers to effective development of agro-tourism in wetlands. In consideration of agricultural wetland characteristics, these barriers can be overcome with government rational plans, visitable plants and take-away commodities, and professional practitioners cultivation.