top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Journal of Social and Political

Sciences

ISSN 2615-3718 (Online)

ISSN 2621-5675 (Print)

asia insitute of research, journal of social and political sciences, jsp, aior, journal publication, humanities journal, social journa
asia insitute of research, journal of social and political sciences, jsp, aior, journal publication, humanities journal, social journa
asia insitute of research, journal of social and political sciences, jsp, aior, journal publication, humanities journal, social journa
asia insitute of research, journal of social and political sciences, jsp, aior, journal publication, humanities journal, social journa
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 29 July 2019

Ethnic Tourism in Northern Thailand: The Paradox of Authentic Tourism Experience

Yuthasak Chatkaewnapanon

Chiang Mai University

journal of social and political sciences
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1991.02.03.95

Pages: 536-541

Keywords: Ethnic Tourism, Authenticity, Tourism Experience, Long-Neck Karen

Abstract

Ethnicity and the exotic are the two concepts Thailand has exploited in intimate details to create the cultural tourism experience. The Cultural tourists’ is in search of the authentic intact native. The uniqueness of the physical features of the local inhabitants, cultural dress and performances are capitalized upon. An ethnic community fits into the two concepts containing the objects of touristic desire. Despite the fact that authenticity is of great importance for cultural tourists, the very presence of the tourists is the construction of manifestations of tourism. Cultural tourism is then the reification process of the remote village life into the touristic attraction. The process illustrates the encounters of tourism hospitality practices. The social negotiation between tourists and hosts results in the transformation of self-less exotic of ethnic groups. An experience of ethnic tourism is akin to a fabricated heritage. When ethnicity and tourism are the core of economic development, the question of cultural change within the community also alters the attractiveness of the tourism location. This paper advances our understanding of the connection between ethnicity and tourism as a space of local hospitality performance and fabricated heritage creation. By discussing the author’s ethno-touristic experience in a Northern Thailand village, the analysis creates meaningful understandings of the complexity surrounding the hospitality phenomenon and the experience of ethnic culture.

References

  1. Bhowmilk, J. Selim, S. A. and Huq, S., 2017. The Role of Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals. CSD_ULAB and ICCCAD Policy Brief. ULAB, Dhaka

  2. Butler, R.,1993. ‘Tourism development in small islands: past influences and future directions’. pp. 71-91. In D.G. Drakakis-Smith and J. Schembri (eds.). Tourism and the Environment: Regional, Economic and Policy Issues, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publisher

  3. Chatkaewnapanon, Y., 2012. A Tourism History of Koh Samui, Thailand: Change and Adaptation in the Tourism Period. Saarbrucken: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing

  4. Chatkaewnapanon, Y. 2016. ‘A tourism system: an approach for sustainable community tourism development’, in The 2nd National and 3rd International Conference 2016 (ICNCEFT 2016) in the theme of “Environmental Friendly Tourism for Sanggun Lee”, The Conference Proceeding, January 21-22, 2016, Phuket, Thailand

  5. Chatkaewnapanon, Y., Leelapattan, W., Trakansiriwanich, K., and Ek-Iem, B., 2017. ‘The place identity and the attractiveness of rural Thailand: an approach for sustainable tourism development of Mae Klang Luang in Northern Thailand, International Journal of Asian Social Science, 7(9): 708-717

  6. Cloke, P., 2007. ‘Creativity and tourism in rural environments’, Pp.37-47, In G. Richards, and J. Wilson, (eds.) Tourism, Creativity and Development. London: Routledge.

  7. Cohen, E. 2001. ‘Thailand in ‘Touristic Transition’. Pp. 155-175, in P. Teo. T.C. Chang and K.C. Ho (eds.), Interconnected World: Tourism in Southeast Asia. Amsterdam: PERGAMON

  8. Cole, S., 2008. Tourism, Culture, and Development: Hopes, Dreams and Realities in East Indonesia, Clevedon: Channel View Publications

  9. Delanty, G., 2010. Community (2nd Edition). London: Routledge

  10. Formica, S., 2000. Destination attractiveness as a function of supply and demand interaction, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia

  11. Garcia-Rosell, J. and Makinen, J., 2013. An integrative framework for sustainability evaluation in tourism: applying the framework to tourism product development in Finnish Lapland, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(3): 396-416

  12. Hall, C.M., 2008. Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships. Essex: Pearson.

  13. Hall, C.M. and Page, S.J., 2002. The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environmental, Place and Space. London: Routledge

  14. Herbert, S., 2000. ‘For ethnography,’ Progress in Human Geography: 24(4): 530-368

  15. Huang, S.L., 2013. ‘Visitor responses to the changing character of the visual landscape as an agrarian area becomes a tourist destination: Yilan County, Taiwan,’ Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(1): 154-171

  16. Kalandides, A. 2011. The problem with spatial identity: revisiting the “sense of place”, Journal of Place Management and Development, 4(1): 28-39

  17. Kearns, R.A. 2000. ‘Being there: research through observing and participating’. Pp. 103-121, in I. Hey. (ed.). Qualitative Research Method in Human Geography, Victoria: Oxford University Press

  18. Mason, P., 2008. Tourism: Impacts, Planning and Management. London: Elsevier

  19. Miles, S., 2010. Places for Consumption, Sage. London.

  20. Okazaki, E., 2008. A community-based tourism model: its conception and use, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 16(5): 511-529

  21. Omholt, T., 2013. Developing a collective capacity for place management, Journal of Place Management and Development, 11(2): 165-180

  22. Picard, M., 1996. Bali: Cultural tourism and touristic culture. Singapore: Archipelago Press.

  23. Relph, E., 2008. ‘Sense of place and emerging social environmental challenges’. Pp. 65-78. In J. Eyles and A. Williams. (eds.) Sense of Place, Health and Quality of life. Burlington: Ashgate.

  24. Richards, G. and Wilson, J., 2007. ‘Tourism development trajectories: from culture to creativity?’. Pp. 1-33. In G. Richards, and J. Wilson, (eds.) Tourism, Creativity and Development. London: Routledge.

  25. Seaman, D., 2011. ‘Place, place identity and phenomenology: a triadic interpretation based on J.G. Bennett’s Systematics’. Pp. 3-21. In H. Casakin, O. Romice, and S. Porta, (eds.) The Role of Place Identity in the Perception, Understanding, and Design of the Built Environment. London: Betham Science Publishers.

  26. Simpson, M.C., 2008. Community benefit tourism initiatives – a conceptual oxymoron? Tourism Management, 29:1-18

  27. Singh, S., Timothy, D.J. and Dowling, R.K., 2003. Pp. 3-18, in S. Singh, D.J. Timothy, and R.K. Dowling (eds.). Tourism and destination communities. In: Tourism in Destination Communities: Oxon: CABI Publishing.

  28. Tosun, C., 2000. Limits to community participation in the tourism development process in developing countries. Tourism Management, 21: 613-633

  29. The Global Goals for Sustainable Development, retrieved on 15 January, 2018, from https://www.un.or.th/globalgoals/th/the-goals

  30. Tucker, H., 2003. Living with Tourism: Negotiating Identities in a Turkey Village. New York: Routledge.

  31. Urry, J., 1990. The Tourist Gaze: Leisure and travel in contemporary societies. London: Sage.

  32. Young, B., 1983. Touristification of traditional Maltese fishing-farming village; g general model, Tourism Management, 4(1): 35-41

bottom of page