產權理論認為，產權制度是整個市場機制的核心制度，是社會資源有效配置的基本前提。自然文化遺產作為一種特殊的稀缺資源，產權制度在其保護與旅遊開發過程中發揮著關鍵作用。武陵源30多年的開發與保護歷程表明，實踐中大陸因不當旅遊開發導致遺產破壞現象的根本原因在於現存的遺產產權制度。因此，為了使遺產可持續發展，應首先對現有的產權制度進行改革。今後大陸遺產產權制度改革的重點是建立以產權界定清晰、監督機制完善、促進遺產可持續發展為目標的產權制度體系。

roperty rights theory suggests that the institution of propertyrights plays a key role in market mechanism, and is a precondition to the efficientallocation of social resources. Natural and cultural heritage is actually considereda type of scarce resource and therefore, the institution of property rights is crucialto the preservation and utilization of natural and cultural heritage. The 30-yearhistory of Wulingyuan manifests that the phenomena of heritage damage andinappropriate utilization that occur in practice are mainly caused by the presentinstitution of property rights for heritage in China. Thus, in order to solve theconflicts between tourism and preservation, reform of the institution of propertyrights for heritage should be carried out first, with the aim at establishing a newinstitution, which is characterized by clear definitions, independent governmentregulations, and efficient market mechanism.