Sustainable ethnic tourism in northern Thailand: Challenges and strategies

Alternative forms of tourism such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and ethnic tourism have become popular options for a number of native populations attempting to participate in mainstream economic systems. In some cases, the addition of a tourism industry into these populations has created as many problems as solutions for them. The purpose of this study was to examine the sustainability of ethnic tourism in northern Thailand from the perspective of a selected hill tribe population. To achieve this goal, a case study of the hill tribe trekking industry in the Karen village of Ban Raummit was undertaken.;The findings of this study suggest that tourism in Ban Raummit faces many challenges such as managing the perceived authenticity of the attraction, controlling the development of an unplanned front stage (tourism district), addressing the needs of the changing tourist types, and dealing with a shifting ethnic balance within the village. At the same time, the trekking industry seems to provide an attractive and appropriate opportunity for the Karen people in this village to maintain a viable lifestyle within a rapidly changing Thai state. Thus, strategies to address these challenges and build a more sustainable industry for the Karen of Ban Raummit have been recommended.