The International Training Program on National Park Ecotourism and Visitor Management was held from September 13 to 14 at the Hainan National Park Research Institute. Organized by the institute and supported by the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Administration and the HNU-ASU International College, Hainan University (HAIC), the program aimed to enhance the scientific management of ecotourism and visitor management in national parks.

The training focused on the Interagency Visitor Use Management (IVUM) framework, emphasizing four elements: solidifying foundations, clarifying directions, determining strategies, and implementing adjustments. Participants engaged in theoretical lectures, practical workshops, and case studies to develop skills in visitor activity analysis, management tool selection, interpretive education design, community involvement, and concession management.

The program featured instructors from HAIC and Arizona State University, including Professors Kelly Bricker and Kathy Andereck, Dr. Xiao Xiao, Dr. Xu Yuhua, Dr. Zhang Fang, and postdoctoral researcher Zheng Yanqu. Key topics included the IVUM framework, resilience analysis, desired conditions, visitor management tools, and community engagement. Chinese instructors provided collaborative teaching and translation to ensure relevance to local practices.

Participants included personnel from the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Administration, nature reserves, municipal and county forestry and tourism departments, the Provincial Forestry Group, Hainan University graduate students, and enterprise representatives. They engaged in group exercises to apply the IVUM process to real management challenges and develop comprehensive action plans.

As a co-host, HAIC is dedicated to talent development and international cooperation in protected area management. This training marks a significant step in its collaboration with the Hainan National Park Research Institute to enhance management capabilities.

Through international faculty and academic practice, HAIC continues to support the enhancement of ecotourism and visitor management in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and other protected areas.