Wantanee Suntikul

Pro-poor Tourism Development in Viengxay, Laos: Current State and Future Prospects

Since the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) first opened its doors to foreign tourists in the early 1990s, the number of tourists to the country has increased significantly. However, the Lao PDR remains one of the poorest countries in the world and tourism is seen by the Laotian government and by non-governmental organizations active in the country as a tool to alleviate poverty. Nonetheless, the Laotian government has until now lacked the financial means and know-how to enact a concerted and effective plan to use tourism to promote poverty alleviation in the country. The paper investigates the current state of pro-poor tourism development in Viengxay and aims to gain an impression of the actual and potential roles and motivations of various stakeholders within the endeavour of tourism for poverty alleviation. The paper concludes with an analysis of the opportunities and barriers to pro-poor tourism in Viengxay, in which the improvement of linkages between the private sector and local development is an important aspect.

Implications of Political Change on National Park Operations: Doi Moi and Tourism to Vietnam’s National Parks

This paper explores the issues, and defines and assesses the roles taken up by public and private actors in the development and management of national parks in Vietnam within the context of Vietnams current period of transition brought about, in part, by the countrys ‘open door’ policy of doi moi. It focuses specifically on the conflicts caused by political, social, cultural and economic factors during this period. The paper introduces these conflicts through an overview of the background and management of Vietnams protected natural areas and the development of eco-tourism in Vietnam in recent years. Subsequently, detailed case studies of two particular Vietnamese national parks are presented to illustrate specific manifestations of these conflicts. An analysis and discussion of the findings of the case studies arrives at an articulation of common defining conflicts facing national parks in Vietnam, including recommendations for future policies and division of roles to address these conflicts.

A Periodization of the Development of Vietnam's Tourism Accommodation since the Open Door Policy

This paper proposes that the development of the tourism accommodation sector in Vietnam, since the inauguration of the open door policy within the reform programme of doi moi, can be divided into five periods. This periodization is based on a study and analysis of the evolving roles of accommodation-providers in Vietnam tourism and the shifting patterns of state-owned enterprises, foreign direct investment and private businesses/small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector. Each period, and each transition between consecutive periods, is investigated in terms of the dynamics of interrelations between public, private and foreign operators, and the interaction of the accommodation sector with other political, social and economic factors in Vietnam during this era of transition. The paper concludes by identifying factors and trends that best characterize the evolution of Vietnams tourism accommodation sector over the last two decades.

The influence of foreign direct investment on accommodation patterns in Vietnam as a result of the open-door policy

Before the ‘open-door’ policy doi moi, the Vietnamese government had monopolised all sectors of tourism in the country. In 1987, one year after the beginning of doi moi, the state issued the Law on Foreign Investment, which encouraged foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam, especially in the tourism industry. This article examines the influence of the resulting influx of FDI on tourism accommodation patterns in Vietnam. A synopsis of policy and background of FDI in Vietnam accommodation is followed by an examination of developments, projects and experiences in this field since doi moi. The article then investigates the effects of FDI in Vietnam tourism accommodation on developments and practices in Vietnams accommodation market, including the traditional state-owned accommodation sub-sector. The article integrates insights gained from interviews with operators of joint venture and state-owned hotels in Vietnam.

Local Perspectives on the Impact of Tourism on Religious Festivals in Bhutan

The Himalayan nation of Bhutan is known to embrace Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product as the measure of its peoples well-being. Happiness, spirituality and cultural authenticity are prominent factors in Bhutans tourism image, and these attributes are most clearly exhibited in the traditional festivals that are among the most popular attractions for many foreign tourists. This paper introduces the cultural practice of religious festivals in Bhutan and investigates how tourism may be affecting these festivals. Within this context, this paper reports on the findings of a survey of Bhutanese monks and lay people, regarding their impressions of the effects of tourists on one particular event – the Tsechu festival. With the Bhutanese governments aim to increase the number of annual tourists more than fourfold to 200,000 by 2018, this research provides a baseline study of the perceived impact of tourism on religious festivals and addresses the issue of whether such an increase in volume of tourists would pose a threat to the integrity and value of these festivals as perceived by Bhutanese people.

Can Marine Wildlife Tourism provide an “Edutaining” Experience?

ABSTRACT Marine-based tourism can be both an entertaining and educational experience for tourists – “edutainment”. This research surveys participants of a dolphin watching program in Fiji to assess their motives to participate in dolphin watching. The research also examines the extent to which education and enjoyment of the marine wildlife tourism experience can contribute to intended pro-environmental behavior. The study reveals there is moderate evidence to support the hypothesis. Although the educational aspect of the trip was limited, satisfaction with the experience was high. However, there is an opportunity for increased education and interpretation in the context of the experience.

Backpackers in Hong Kong - motivations, preferences and contribution to sustainable tourism

ABSTRACT This paper examines the backpacker market in Hong Kong, in terms of profile, motivation, preferences, and contribution to sustainable tourism development. The purpose is to provide an understanding of this market to help in marketing and promoting services and products that meet backpackers’ needs as part of expanding Hong Kong’s target market. Currently, Hong Kong relies on tourists from mainland China and recent reports reveal the issue of social conflicts between mainland tourists and Hong Kong residents. Based on a survey of backpackers in youth hostels and hiking trails in Hong Kong, this study revealed that backpackers are pushed by the search for new ideas and pulled by the uniquefood culture of Hong Kong, preferring to experience such a unique food culture in a traditional setting. Moreover, they are less likely to spend on international brands in Hong Kong as part of promoting sustainable tourism development.

An exploratory study of Chinese tourists on Kenya Safari tours

ABSTRACT In 2012, over 40,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya. Owing to the close cooperative relationship between Kenya and China and the improvement of accessibility, the total number of Chinese visitors is expected to exceed 100,000 by 2016. This paper investigates the profile of Chinese tourists participating in safari tours in Kenya in order to understand who they are, their motivations for going on safaris, their perceptions of the safari experience, and their perception towards wildlife and conservation. The research examines whether the safari experience affects these tourists’ attitudes towards wildlife conservation, and whether such changes in perceptions can raise concern for conservation issues among tourists from China. The findings show contradictions between Chinese safari tourists’ perceptions of themselves as ecologically friendly tourists and their opinions on conservation issues and tourism behavior. This may be in part between differing conceptions of the human–wildlife relationship in (Western) ideas of sustainability and Chinese culture’s conception of the place of humans in nature.

Impacts of tourism on the quality of life of local residents in Hue, Vietnam

Abstract This research seeks to understand the impacts of tourism on the quality of life (QOL) of citizens of Hue, Vietnam, to investigate residents’ opinions on various aspects of their QOL, and examines these residents’ attitudes toward tourism development on issues such as tourism-related employment, tourism knowledge, and perceived personal benefits from tourism. Intercept interviews were conducted with 480 Hue residents. The findings show that tourism provides Hue residents with a sense of community well-being and community pride. However, while tourism brings jobs, there is dissatisfaction with the quality of employment available and residents lack empowerment in policy-making and local government participation.

A portrait of Richard Butler

I first met Richard Butler 13 years ago as a student in his “Tourism Planning and Development” course while doing my Masters degree in Tourism Marketing at the University of Surrey. The memory of this first encounter with one of the most inspiring teachers and researchers I know is still vivid. Although the class lasted for 3 hours, I remember spending all my attention to every word Richard said. His expression of joyful of teaching inspired me to become a good teacher. Richard subsequently became my Masters thesis supervisor and later my Ph.D. supervisor at the University of Surrey, along with Prof. David Airey. In the several years since I completed my Ph.D. studies and moved on to a career in academia outside of the UK, Richard and I have continued to work together on numerous journal articles and book chapters, as well as co-editing two books: Tourism and Political Change published by Goodfellow in 2011, and Tourism and War published by Routledge in 2013. From an academic perspective, I know Richard as an excellent teacher, an inspiring academic mentor and co-author. From a personal perspective, he has become like a father figure to me, to whom I can turn for advice, both academic and personal. For these reasons, when Iwas asked by this journal’s editor DrMetin Kozak towrite a portrait of Richard, I felt quite somewhat apprehensive as to how I could do justice to the vast contribution that he has made to tourism and hospitality education in general, aswell as to the countless students like myself who have had the good fortune of studying under him or even reading his articles. Most tourism academics are familiar with Richard first and foremost through his Tourism Life Cycle (TLC) (1980) (called by some “Butler’s life cycle”) which has become a foundational model of the evolution of destinations. In this profile, apart from discussing his academic contributions to the field of tourism, I hope also to convey a bit of the story behind his important works, which I hope will serve as an inspiration to those who may know him only through his works and ideas, especially other young researchers like myself. Never dry or detached in his approach to academic life, Richard’s relationship with his subject matter is personal and his interactions with others personable. His long-term colleauge Prof. David Airey from the University of Surrey recounted: “Richard is very supportive of students and new researchers, always ready to provide advice and never tries to undermine or belittle their work” (personal communication, 2014). Richard is also known among his friends and colleagues as having a lively sense of humour and as an impassioned expert on pop and rock music of the 1950s and 1960s. Prof. Geoff Wall shared a memorable occasion when Richard and his wife Margaret visited Geoff’s home, and Richard gave a presentation to about 30 undergraduate students in Geoff’s basement