As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,an...As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries including Thailand,Singapore,Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.展开更多
In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad...In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad it iona l supermarkets have become membership supermarkets,and even many retail enterprises have entered this field.展开更多
CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countri...CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries,simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries,including Thailand,Singapore,the Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.展开更多
Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable envir...Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable environmental resource management.However,the reasons for the spatial preference heterogeneity of WTP are still unclear.In this study,an extensive survey with 4,580 residents in the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Megalopolis(YRMRM),central China,was carried out to investigate the public’s WTP to maintain and improve ESs.We identified key influencing factors and explored how they shaped the preference heterogeneity in WTP by random forest model and surface fitting method.Our results showed that 81.4% of residents reported WTP for ESs greater than zero.Water supply,waste treatment,food supply and raw material supply were the preferred ESs for residents.Living environment factors(i.e.,extent of farmland,water and forest near the residence)were found as the key drivers of WTP.Proximity to farmland,water and forests resulted in high WTP values for a series of specific ESs.The reasons for the heterogeneity of WTP are(1)the difference in proximity to farmland,water and forest(i.e.,the contributor to ESs),(2)the divergence of local residents’preferences for ESs.This study disclosed the heterogeneity and causes of public preferences in YRMRM,which could help policy and decision makers to develop eco-compensation initiatives towards conservative and sustainable use of the environmental resources.展开更多
This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order ...This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order to inform whether recreation resources in the park are overvalued or undervalued.The study revealed that tourists’WTP per day for recreation services was estimated at$237.4 and$1521 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.The estimated tourists’WTP values exceed the daily travel costs currently incurred by tourists,which are$201.04 and$1517.97 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.This indicates that tourists are willing to spend more to enjoy recreation services in NNP,which signifies that recreation resources in NNP are slightly undervalued.In addition,the findings disclosed that the largest share of tourist daily travel expenses is allocated to transportation services,and very little is paid to the park as a conservation fee.It was revealed that out of the daily travel expenses incurred by non-resident and resident tourists,only 4.62%and 2.23%are respectively paid directly to NNP as conservation fees.This study considers that allocation is not very fair;thus,NNP,in collaboration with TANAPA,needs to adjust the current entrance or conservation fee and reduce the transportation costs charged by tourist companies.The travel costs incurred by tourists,age,education,monthly income,site visited,substitute site,and quality of park were identified as significant factors in influencing tourists’WTP for recreation services in NNP.Thus,policies oriented to reduce tourists’transportation costs and improve the quality of national parks would attract more tourists to NNP.展开更多
The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local s...The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local stakeholders in backward regions.Therefore,the preservation of ecotourism sites through community participation seems very important to maintain continued flow of tourists.This study aimed at recognizing the importance of community participation for the preservation of ecotourism sites.For this,this study executed a survey based on non-probability sampling in two ecotourism sites(Garpanchkot and Baranti)covering 100 respondents in Purulia District,West Bengal of India.The central issue of this study was to assess the tendency of community participation for the conservation of ecotourism sites and find the optimum condition for offering participatory labour time.This study showed that the participation of young people is high,and the majority of respondents are aware of the importance in protecting ecotourism sites.Because respondents were too poor to offer money,the contingent valuation method(CVM)was used to elicit their willingness to pay(WTP)participatory labour time for the conservation of ecotourism sites.Respondents’age,income,education level,caste,and their perceived environmental quality had significant relationship with their WTP participatory labour time by applying the ordinary least square(OLS)model.It was found that the mean WTP participatory labour time of each respondent in a month is approximately 3.64 h.The significance of this study is that community participation can improve the sense of belonging,trust,and credibility of ecotourism sites,making them more appreciative of the value and protection of these sites.展开更多
China Increases Payment Convenience for Foreigners China has recently intensified efforts to enhance the convenience of payment services for foreigners,who primarily rely on bank cards and cash,while mobile payment is...China Increases Payment Convenience for Foreigners China has recently intensified efforts to enhance the convenience of payment services for foreigners,who primarily rely on bank cards and cash,while mobile payment is emerging as the predominant method of payment in China.展开更多
In the early 20th century,the role of Greek women in the working environment was considered complementary,and the type of work they would do should fit their Review of Women’s Employment in Greece in the 20th and Ear...In the early 20th century,the role of Greek women in the working environment was considered complementary,and the type of work they would do should fit their Review of Women’s Employment in Greece in the 20th and Early 21st Centuries gender stereotypes.Therefore,they were low-paid workers and employees,and they were the first to be laid off.Despite the fact that the number of Greek women participating in the labor market has increased,many of them were obliged to work due to the high rate of men’s unemployment since there was no other way to sustain the living level of the household(Alpha Bank,2018).Greek women’s participation in the labor market was accompanied by an increase in flexible types of employment along with the pay gap between men and women,which remained persistent due to the existence of discrimination.展开更多
文摘As of January 31,2024,China had concluded mutual visa exemption agreements covering different types of passports with 157 countries,reached agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries including Thailand,Singapore,Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.
文摘In recent yea rs,t raditiona l offline supermarkets are facing big challenges,and warehouse membership superma rkets(hereinafter referred to as membership supermarkets)are quickly gaining p opu l a r it y.Ma ny t r ad it iona l supermarkets have become membership supermarkets,and even many retail enterprises have entered this field.
文摘CHINA’S visa-free policy keeps expanding and the country has entered a new era of welcoming visitors from an increasing global reach.By January 1,2024,China had inked mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries,simplified visa procedures with 44 countries,and enjoyed comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries,including Thailand,Singapore,the Maldives,and the United Arab Emirates.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan,Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China(Grant No.2020YFC1908704)the Innovative Foundation of Huazhong University of Science and Technology(Grant No.2018KFYYXJJ133).
文摘Profound understanding on the diversity of local residents’willingness to pay(WTP)for ecosystem services(ESs)may aid evaluation of policy impacts by uncovering trade-offs and synergies for achieving sustainable environmental resource management.However,the reasons for the spatial preference heterogeneity of WTP are still unclear.In this study,an extensive survey with 4,580 residents in the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Megalopolis(YRMRM),central China,was carried out to investigate the public’s WTP to maintain and improve ESs.We identified key influencing factors and explored how they shaped the preference heterogeneity in WTP by random forest model and surface fitting method.Our results showed that 81.4% of residents reported WTP for ESs greater than zero.Water supply,waste treatment,food supply and raw material supply were the preferred ESs for residents.Living environment factors(i.e.,extent of farmland,water and forest near the residence)were found as the key drivers of WTP.Proximity to farmland,water and forests resulted in high WTP values for a series of specific ESs.The reasons for the heterogeneity of WTP are(1)the difference in proximity to farmland,water and forest(i.e.,the contributor to ESs),(2)the divergence of local residents’preferences for ESs.This study disclosed the heterogeneity and causes of public preferences in YRMRM,which could help policy and decision makers to develop eco-compensation initiatives towards conservative and sustainable use of the environmental resources.
文摘This study estimated tourists’Willingness to Pay(WTP)per day for recreation services in Nyerere National Park(NNP)and compared these values with daily travel costs that are incurred by tourists to visit NNP in order to inform whether recreation resources in the park are overvalued or undervalued.The study revealed that tourists’WTP per day for recreation services was estimated at$237.4 and$1521 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.The estimated tourists’WTP values exceed the daily travel costs currently incurred by tourists,which are$201.04 and$1517.97 for resident and non-resident tourists,respectively.This indicates that tourists are willing to spend more to enjoy recreation services in NNP,which signifies that recreation resources in NNP are slightly undervalued.In addition,the findings disclosed that the largest share of tourist daily travel expenses is allocated to transportation services,and very little is paid to the park as a conservation fee.It was revealed that out of the daily travel expenses incurred by non-resident and resident tourists,only 4.62%and 2.23%are respectively paid directly to NNP as conservation fees.This study considers that allocation is not very fair;thus,NNP,in collaboration with TANAPA,needs to adjust the current entrance or conservation fee and reduce the transportation costs charged by tourist companies.The travel costs incurred by tourists,age,education,monthly income,site visited,substitute site,and quality of park were identified as significant factors in influencing tourists’WTP for recreation services in NNP.Thus,policies oriented to reduce tourists’transportation costs and improve the quality of national parks would attract more tourists to NNP.
文摘The importance of valuing environmental resources,especially in ecotourism sites,has become increasingly important over the last two decades.Ecotourism is now considered as an important source of livelihood of local stakeholders in backward regions.Therefore,the preservation of ecotourism sites through community participation seems very important to maintain continued flow of tourists.This study aimed at recognizing the importance of community participation for the preservation of ecotourism sites.For this,this study executed a survey based on non-probability sampling in two ecotourism sites(Garpanchkot and Baranti)covering 100 respondents in Purulia District,West Bengal of India.The central issue of this study was to assess the tendency of community participation for the conservation of ecotourism sites and find the optimum condition for offering participatory labour time.This study showed that the participation of young people is high,and the majority of respondents are aware of the importance in protecting ecotourism sites.Because respondents were too poor to offer money,the contingent valuation method(CVM)was used to elicit their willingness to pay(WTP)participatory labour time for the conservation of ecotourism sites.Respondents’age,income,education level,caste,and their perceived environmental quality had significant relationship with their WTP participatory labour time by applying the ordinary least square(OLS)model.It was found that the mean WTP participatory labour time of each respondent in a month is approximately 3.64 h.The significance of this study is that community participation can improve the sense of belonging,trust,and credibility of ecotourism sites,making them more appreciative of the value and protection of these sites.
文摘China Increases Payment Convenience for Foreigners China has recently intensified efforts to enhance the convenience of payment services for foreigners,who primarily rely on bank cards and cash,while mobile payment is emerging as the predominant method of payment in China.
文摘In the early 20th century,the role of Greek women in the working environment was considered complementary,and the type of work they would do should fit their Review of Women’s Employment in Greece in the 20th and Early 21st Centuries gender stereotypes.Therefore,they were low-paid workers and employees,and they were the first to be laid off.Despite the fact that the number of Greek women participating in the labor market has increased,many of them were obliged to work due to the high rate of men’s unemployment since there was no other way to sustain the living level of the household(Alpha Bank,2018).Greek women’s participation in the labor market was accompanied by an increase in flexible types of employment along with the pay gap between men and women,which remained persistent due to the existence of discrimination.
