Abstract
This study examines how cultural resources can be transformed into regional economic value through public–private partnerships (PPPs) and tourism-recreational clusters. It develops the Culture IP Value Transformation Model (CIVTM) using conceptual modelling, descriptive statistical analysis, institutional analysis and an embedded case study of Tibet over 2016–2025. Official statistics document an increase in tourist visits from 23.16 million to 70.73 million; the reported tourism monetary aggregate rose from RMB 33.08 billion in revenue to RMB 81.68 billion in expenditure, with a change in terminology that limits strict comparability. The 2023 economic census records 6,156 cultural and related-industry legal entities, 98.4 % more than in 2018, but operating cultural-industry revenue declined by 11.2 %. Infrastructure and project records identify institutional arrangements relevant to the model, while Princess Wencheng provides an embedded example of cultural-product commercialization and associated local earnings. These findings distinguish market expansion and organizational growth from demonstrated cluster productivity. The article proposes contract-specific performance indicators, an allocation of risks according to control capacity, and a public register of project and community outcomes. Tourism revenue and expenditure are not treated as value added or as tourism contribution to gross regional product. The evidence establishes descriptive correspondence with the CIVTM, not causal effects of PPPs or confirmation of every model link.
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