Regional Sustainability >

2021 , Vol. 2 >Issue 2: 156 - 163

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2021.05.003

Full Length Article

From theme park to cultural tourism town: Disneyization turning of tourism space in China

  • Zi’ang ZHANG ,
  • Zengxian LIANG ,
  • Jigang BAO
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  • aSchool of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
    bCenter for Tourism Planning and Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
    cSchool of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China

Received date: 2021-03-25

  Revised date: 2021-05-01

  Accepted date: 2021-05-21

  Online published: 2021-08-13

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Abstract

Theme park development has become an important choice for tourism space development in Chinese cities, and the theming of space as well as the implied consumption symbols and cultural implications are usually viewed as examples for the development of other urban spaces, such as cultural tourism towns. The result is the Disneyization of urban tourism space. With the construction of characteristic towns being vigorously promoted throughout China, cultural tourism towns are springing up. They are typical of the “Wuzhen Town Mode” and represent the process of the Disneyization of tourism space in China. This research reflects on the evolution of the characteristics of tourism space in China. Taking the Wuzhen Town Mode as an example, this study reveals the characteristics and conversion mechanism of the Disneyization of tourism space in Chinese cities. According to this research, the Wuzhen Town Mode of the Disneyization is characterized by theming, hybrid consumption, merchandising, and performative labor. Residential function is a unique characteristic of the Disneyization of cultural tourism towns in China. Moreover, the Wuzhen Town Mode of the Disneyization is jointly motivated by the driving force of local governments, the propulsive force of tourist demand, the attractive force of the social environment, and the driving force of capital. Finally, suggestions and policy proposals are provided for the Disneyization of tourism space in China.

Key words： Theme park; Disneyization; Theming; Cultural tourism town; Tourism space; Wuzhen Town; China

Cite this article

Zi’ang ZHANG , Zengxian LIANG , Jigang BAO . From theme park to cultural tourism town: Disneyization turning of tourism space in China[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2021 , 2(2) : 156 -163 . DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2021.05.003

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