LI Zhan-hai, KE Xian-kun, ZHOU L¨¹-fu, WANG Ai-jun

(Department of Urban £¦ Resources Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China)

Abstract: Based upon the review and syntheses of the existing appraisal systems of beach tourism resources at home and abroad, a new appraisal system has been established, which can fit the specific situations of China. The proposed system selects 80 parameters which can be grouped into 2 types: tourism resources and infras tructure conditions.The former includes 5 subtypes of geomorphology, hydrology, climatology/meteorology, biology and humanities, and the latter includes 3 subtypes of security, sanitation, infrastructures and their management. A new framework for comprehensive comparison and display of beach qualities has also been proposed for 12 famous beaches in China, which can be used in both beach quality comparison and providing objective, detailed and scientific information about beaches to tourists and public.

Keywords: beach; tourism resources; appraisal system and model