Mechanized nature: the alienation of nature in mountain tourism in China

Abstract

Traveling in nature inevitably requires the use of technologies and facilities. These technologies enable tourists to get access to nature and experience nature in a variety of ways, but they also affect how tourists are engaged with nature. The infrastructure and technologies can fundamentally change the relationship between tourists and nature, leading to the alienation of nature. We adopt Tianmen Mountain Nature Park as an example to discuss the problem of alienation in nature tourism. Research has shown that alienation is manifested in nature tourism products, which are designed, managed, and commercialized. What tourists experience is not “nature”, but technology and facilities. We also discuss the potential problem of alienation: tourists no longer stay with nature but become estranged and separated from nature in a new form.

摘要

在大自然中旅行需要技术与设施的帮助。技术使游客能够以多种方式接近并体验自然, 但也深刻地影响着游客与自然的互动方式。基础设施和技术可以从根本上改变游客与自然的关系, 导致自然的异化。我们以天门山自然公园为例, 探讨了自然旅游中的异化问题。研究表明, 异化表现自然景区的旅游产品具有高度的机械化设计, 整体运营规范；游客不断地在自然景区消费机械化技术, 具有明显的商品化特征；游客体验到的不是”自然”, 而是技术和设施。研究还讨论了异化带来的潜在问题:游客不再欣赏自然, 而是以一种新的形式与自然疏远。

Keywords:

• Mechanized
• nature
• amusement
• alienation
• nature tourism
• mountain tourism

关键词:

• 机械化
• 自然
• 娱乐化
• 异化
• 自然旅游
• 山岳旅游

Acknowledgement

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41920104002). The authors sincerely thanks Dr. Cui Qingming, editors and reviewers for their effective suggestions in revising the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Honggang Xu

Honggang Xu is a Professor in the School of Tourism Management at Sun Yat-Sen University. Her research interests include tourism geography, tourist management, sustainable tourism and mobilities.

Xiang Li

Xiang Li is an undergraduate student student in the School of Tourism Management at Sun Yat-Sen University. Her research interests include tourism geography, tourist management.