Tourist Adaptation to Environmental Change: Evidence from Gangshika Glacier for Sustainable Tourism

Global warming has accelerated glacier retreat worldwide, intensifying the vulnerability of ecosystem services and posing challenges to the sustainability of glacier-based tourism. Understanding how environmental changes influence tourist behavior is essential for balancing ecological conservation with tourism development. This study examines the Gangshika Glacier in the Lenglongling region of the eastern Qilian Mountains, China. By integrating Revealed Preference (RP) and Stated Preference (SP) data within a Travel Cost–Contingent Behavior (TC-CB) model, we assess the recreational value of glacier tourism and simulate tourist responses under alternative environmental scenarios. The findings indicate that the total annual recreational value of the site is approximately 6.52 billion CNY, with a per-visit consumer surplus (CS) of 1.16 × 104 CNY. Moreover, environmental degradation exerts a statistically significant negative effect on visitation frequency (p < 0.01). Beyond quantifying economic value, the study highlights the broader implications for ecotourism management, emphasizing the need for dynamic environmental monitoring, low-impact infrastructure, and local community engagement. These results provide actionable insights into how glacier destinations can enhance resilience and contribute to sustainable development under climate change.