RESORTS AND RESIDENTS: STRESS AND CONSERVATISM IN A DISPLACED COMMUNITY

The consequences of tourism-caused displacement of a minority community are examined at a destination in Hainan, China where tourism is being promoted as a regional development strategy and planned in a top-down fashion. The research was conducted during the displacement implementation period until shortly after the relocation was finished. Two-period and spatial setting theories were organized into one model and applied, using stressfulness and conservatism as indicators. During the preparation period of resettlement, people expressed great stress about displacement and tended towards conservative behavior, rejecting additional risk-taking activities. However, the short relocation distance and integrated resettlement pattern, which resulted in no obvious external spatial setting change in this displacement case, helped the resettlers to reestablish their production systems more easily. Once settled in the new village, levels of stress and conservatism decreased, resulting in more innovative behaviors. Nevertheless, if resettlers are to get their share of benefits from tourism, improved planning is required, incorporating the provision of training opportunities and greater access to jobs.