The Cultural Tourism Management under Context of World Heritage Sites: Stakeholders’ Opinions between Luang Prabang Communities, Laos and Muang-kao Communities, Sukhothai,Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research is to study opinions of stakeholders from Luang Prabang communities, Laos and Muang-kao communities Amphoe, Muang, Sukhothai Province, focusing on the cultural tourism management under context of world heritage sites. The results from the study illustrated that there are 3 types of stakeholders who are involved in cultural tourism promotion and policy formation: 1. Government agency of Luang Prabang and Sukhothai such as, the Heritage House which is responsible for the management of the tourist attractions and town's patrimony in the country under the supervision of UNESCO but for Thailand there is the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Sport and Tourism and Fine Art Departments. 2. Entrepreneur includes not only, hospitality, restaurant, and tourism business, but also entertainment business and tourism training business. They are considered to be parts of the support in enhancing cultural tourism to promote the impressive services for visitors. 3. General public understood and agreed with government management. However, the public insisted to participate in preservation of national cultural heritage under the “Live World Heritage Town” concepts and management of UNESCO which Lung Prabang has been protected by these heritage sites since 1995 but Sukhothai has been protected by the heritage site since 1991.