Abstract:

In order to optimize the tourism resource deployment and improve the efficiency of Forest Parks in China, the present efficiency of the forest parks were studied with data collected from 2003 to 2008 by using the DEA method. Technology efficiency, pure technology efficiency, scale efficiency and Malmquist TFP were measured. The efficiency and TFP were compared among 31 provinces and among east, center and west region. The results showed that Shanghai and Zhejiang had the highest efficiency, Guizhou and Shanxi had the highest TFP increase rate among 31 provinces; As for the three areas, the east region had the best efficiency, while center region had the highest TFP increase rate. In the end, the reasons influencing efficiency were discussed from those respects, such as resource inputs, tourism attraction, and economic development level. Some suggestions of improving efficiency were also put forward including increasing financial support to central and west region, giving technology guidance and staff training.

Key words: Chinese forest parks, tourism development efficiency, DEA method