Sustainable Tourism Paradigm in Lao
PDR (1986-2004 A.D.)*
Boonyasarit Aneksuk
Ph.D. Candidate
Tai Studies Program
Mahasarakham University and lecturer in Tourism Program
Ubon Rajathanee University
Thailand
Abstract:
In 1986 Social and Economic Reform in Lao PDR has created a great change in
various aspects. Tourism, which has been accepted recently in Lao PDR, also
plays an important role in economic development of Lao PDR. As a result, Tourism
is considered as a change of Lao PDR's development paradigm.
The article aims to present sustainable tourism paradigm, which is an aspect of
development paradigm of Lao PDR since the development of tourism management from
1986 to present. In addition, the sustainable tourism paradigm is influenced by
different levels tourism concepts; for example, Theory and Universal and
Regional levels. UNESCO Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, Luang Nam Tha Province, a
United Nations development project, is employed as a case study of the
sustainable tourism paradigm.
The results of the study indicated firstly, the sustainable tourism paradigm in
Lao PRD occurring in 1980s has emphasized high value of Tourism which consists
of culture and tradition protected value; biodiversity value for providing
accommodations for the minority of Lao PDR; ecotourism network among
stakeholders such as government, entrepreneurs and local communities in
participation of activity development; and management Tourism as a tool of rural
development integration for ecotourism practitioners. Secondly, the tourism
management is supported by international private development organization such
as World Conservation Union (IUCN) as well as United Nations, for instance,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), thus affecting the compatibility
of sustainable tourism paradigm in Lao PDR with tourism concept at Theory level.
The results reflected the development paradigm as ideology, which needs to be
followed up.
* This article is an extract of Boonyasarit Aneksuk Ph.D. dissertation, topic Sustainable Tourism Paradigm in Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Thank you for suggestion from my major advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seri Pongpit.