Community participation for sustainable heritage tourism and development: The case of the Royal Thai Monastery Lumbini, Nepal

Abstract

           The aim of this paper is to determine local community involvement in sustainable heritage tourism at religious and sacred places and to provide management recommendations on how to enhance community participation for the conservation of cultural and religious traditions. The study at the Royal Thai Monastery in Lumbini, Nepal revealed that although the Monastery has reasonable sustainable management strategies, community involvement is minimal. The local communities were generally satisfied with the management of the Monastery and tourism practice, although some improvements are needed. The study provides management recommendations to promote heritage conservation alongside sustainable tourism in the context of Thai Buddhist temples.