Transformation of Economical Perspective for Regional Tourism to Systems Thinking

Since die introduction of regional economics into China, the dilemma of choice between "Balanced and Non-equilibrium" effort and practice for regional economic development has been troubling the decision-makers. Theoretically, the debate between the role of the government and that of the market gives the birth of "government co-ordination" and "market coordination." In the early 21st century, China started to promote the "barrier-free tourism cooperation," but due to the dominant position of market economy, the result was not as effective as expected. This is because enterprises and tourists have not benefited from the implementation of the barrier-free tourism zone approved by the Chinese government. Research of regional tourism is the paradigm of systems engineering. In the evolution of global industries and intensive production, regional tourism development needs to change its pattern of thinking. No matter what the situations are: absolute government or natural market, it is time for regional tourism to jump out of the long-time research and practice of single perspective of economics and to apply the methodology of systems engineering for the purpose of sustainable and productive development of regional tourism.