DEVELOPING RIVER TOURISM ON THE UPPER MEKONG: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Journal Title: European Journal of Business and Social Sciences - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 10
Abstract
Rivers are fascinating places which constitute a significant tourism resource of cultural heritage and natural environment. Surprisingly, there is little attention among policymakers involved in the development of river tourism on the upper Mekong that has not been fully utilized for tourism purposes compared with its lower part. This paper highlights the Express Boat service between Jinghong, China, PRC and Chiang Sean, Thailand, and finds out both inhibiting and facilitating factors in promoting river tourism in this region. Security and low water level are major inhibiting factors while the growing demand on cross-border tourism is the facilitating force. Qualitative research approach was conducted in China and Thailand where major informants exist. The study reveals indifference toward river tourism by policy-makers in Thailand as underlying cause of stagnancy. Findings of the research illustrate the importance of alliances and collective destination marketing to bring the Express Boat service back on the right track.
Authors and Affiliations
Sompong Amnuay-ngerntra| (Correspondent Author) Tourism and Hospitality Management Division Mahidol University International College Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Tel: + (66)081-743-9867 E-mail: sompong.amn@mahidol.ac.th, Hideki Sonoda| Faculty of Graduate Studies Mahidol University Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Tel: + (81) 092-846-6026 E-mail: phoebesnowtoto1010@gmail.com
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP10210
- DOI -
- Views 403
- Downloads 19
RELIGIOUS ENVIRONMENTALISM: THE CHURCH’S ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGM (THE CASE OF THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST IN GHANA)
The current environmental crises that ravage the planet earth and threaten its capacity to be a home for all living creatures and non-living elements of nature needs to be addressed radically and immediately at all l...
A MODEL FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN A PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION SETTING
This paper was intended to identify gaps in the Knowledge Management (KM) practices of selected private higher education institutions (PHE) in Botswana by determining the existence, or absence, of KM enablers and come...
DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED BIOMASS STOVE IN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS OF MUHAZI SECTOR IN RWAMAGANA DISTRICT
The adoption and continued use of improved biomass stoves in developing countries is of social, economic and environmental concern. Many of rural households use traditional stoves which have low energy efficiency leadi...
A COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS
The administration structure plays a central role in the development of a university, both academically and administratively, and both for attracting qualified academic staff and students. The role of presidents (cha...
Characteristics of Secondary Schools that Influence Former Dropouts to Graduate: A Phenomenological Study
This study examined the characteristics of a secondary school environment that former dropouts were looking for when they returned to school to attain their diploma. A phenomenological qualitative design was used to i...