ENHANCING RURAL REVITALIZATION THROUGH SPORTS AND FITNESS-CENTRIC TOURISM: EVALUATING CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT MODELS

Abstract

Rural tourism, particularly when intertwined with sports and fitness activities, plays a crucial role in boosting rural economies and enhancing residents' quality of life. However, the rapid expansion of this sector often brings challenges such as environmental degradation, cultural dilution, and resource overutilization. To address these issues, this study focuses on refining the management and cultural frameworks within rural tourism from a revitalization perspective. This involves a detailed exploration into sustaining rural cultural heritage while integrating sports tourism, ensuring the preservation of traditional architectures, local customs, and other cultural elements that define rural identity. The paper proposes targeted strategies for the structured development of a humanistic environment within the tourism sector. These strategies include comprehensive rural tourism planning that respects and incorporates local history and culture, enhancing community involvement, fortifying resource conservation, and fostering sustainable tourism practices. The effectiveness of these proposed management models is evaluated through a series of metrics such as governance quality, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and tourist satisfaction within rural settings. Experimental analysis conducted within various rural tourism hubs demonstrates significant improvements in regulatory oversight, community identity alignment, environmental monitoring, and the regulation of tourist activities, with average scores of 8.1, 8.6, 8.8, and 8.3, respectively, on a scale of 10. These results underline the success of implementing robust cultural and environmental management strategies, reflecting not only in enhanced tourist experiences and heightened appreciation for local culture and nature but also in tangible economic benefits for the rural areas. Such integrative approaches herald a sustainable model for rural tourism that aligns with broader goals of rural revitalization through sports and cultural tourism.