Ethnic Groups’ Participation in Sustainable Tourism Development

Abstract

             The Angkhang Royal Project Agricultural Extension Areas, Fang District, Chiang Mai was considered to be the preferred tourism attraction.  It was the highland area that hill-tribe people from many ethnic groups; namely BalckLahu, Tai Yai, Chinese Yunnan and Palaung densely resided.  Therefore, this article intended to study the participation of the ethnic groups in sustainable tourism development in the Angkhang Royal Project Agricultural Extension Area.  This article was designed to use a quantitative research methodology.  The target population consisted of 3,545 people from 5 villages; namely, Ban Khum, Ban Pang Ma, Ban Kob Dong, Ban Nor Lae and Ban Luang living surrounding the Angkhang Royal Project Agricultural Extension Area.The sample size was calculated based on Taro Yamane Formula (Tao Yamane, 1973: 112) with confidence coefficient of 95% and standard error of sampling estimation at the significance level of 0.05 which came up with 367 people.  According to this research, important findings were the popular trend in visiting the Area induced the utility system development in order to facilitate the traveling and the better way of life of the hill-tribes in the Area.  They not only acquired extra income from tourism activities, but also learned, realized, and comprehended the significance of maintaining, preserving and conserving the natural resources, culture and tradition of the ethnic groups.  Additionally, participation in the implementation level by taking part in the Area development, cooperation with the Project’s operation or evaluation of the tourism activities in the community were scanty.  This was because the majority of them were hill-tribe people having low level of education.  Some of them were not able to read, write or communicate in Thai language and held highland identity card or nationality unproved.  Therefore, they had limitations in accessing data and information from public organizations.