STAKEHOLDERS’ ROLES IN TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN KHOUN DISTRICT, XIANGKHOUANG PROVINCE, LAOS PDR

Abstract

This study investigated the roles of stakeholders and organizations responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in Khoun District of Xiengkhouang Province, LAO PDR, as part of the 2006-2010 provincial strategy. The study focused on conservation tourism development and involved qualitative research methods of purposeful sampling using semi-structured interviews of 7 key informants and the collection of secondary data from documents, journal articles, and related research. Data was triangulated from a number of different sources and analyzed by content and descriptive analysis. The study found that there were two types of stakeholders – main and supporting. The main stakeholders had many roles in the area such as policy-maker, tourism-developer, tourism-marketer, and conserver and restorer of traditions and customs. The supporting stakeholders implemented state policy to achieve the objectives of good tourism development. The conservation of tourism resources was found to be most important for all stakeholders but problems existed between groups. This indicated the need for greater involvement and cooperation between all parties for the benefit of strong development in tourism in the area.