Local perspectives of community-based tourism: case study from Thailand's Amphawa Floating Market Online publication date: Fri, 07-Nov-2014
by Thanathorn Vajirakachorn; Sanjay K. Nepal
International Journal of Tourism Anthropology (IJTA), Vol. 3, No. 4, 2014
Abstract: Drawing on a case study of a floating market in Central Thailand, this study examines the processes of engaging the local community in the development and promotion of the Amphawa Floating Market (AFM) as a tourist attraction, documents residents' views about community involvement, and determines the impact of tourism on local livelihood and associated costs. Results indicate that successful implementation of a community-based tourism is dependent on a few catalysts, strong economic interests of local residents, and their willingness to work together. As development succeeds, tourist numbers increase, and outsiders are attracted to the area as entrepreneurs and business competitors, the planning process can quickly get out of local control. Community-based tourism faces the same kinds of challenges as mainstream tourism in that economic interests outweigh environmental and social concerns, and that local communities tend to be less proactive as development proceeds beyond the initial stage.
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