Ecotourism in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Ecotourism has experienced rapid growth because of global concerns regarding sustainability. However, significant differences are observed between the theory and practice of ecotourism management, especially in Southeast Asian countries. This study reviews the management of ecotourism in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam by comparing the theoretical definition with the practical operations in each country. The goal of this study is to investigate the cause of the gap between the theoretical definition and the practical operation of ecotourism. This study also addresses critical issues regarding national ecotourism policy and the practical implementation of ecotourism-based products in each country. This study would be of interest to national policymakers and researchers to study, plan, and improve their ecotourism development strategies. The results suggest that the main reason for the gap in the ecotourism operations of these countries is the lack of communication and cooperation between policymakers and other tourism stakeholders. The government is significant in leading ecotourism development, and an official and national ecotourism strategy is required in planning and operating ecotourism. However, consistency in policy and the attitude of the government will increase the competitive power of ecotourism. The assistance of non-government organizations is not a long-term strategy for ecotourism development, and less-developed countries like Vietnam and Cambodia should attempt to use the resources of its administrative government system, similar to the Tambon Administrative Organization of Thailand, to develop a suitable policy for ecotourism management in the long-term.