A cultural conservation model for sustainable tourism of the Tai Lue Ethnic group in Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to examine community development and cultural patterns for tourism of the Tai Lue communities in Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province, to develop a local cultural conservation model for sustainable tourism of the ethnic group, and to assess the conservation model of the ethnic group. This qualitative research investigated four Tai Lue villages in the study area, including Luang Nua, Luang Tai, Pa Kha, and San Pong Villages. The key informants included the villagers, representatives from the local state and private agencies, tourists, and local business operators. The data were analyzed by using the structural-historical development approach, content analysis, and the inductive method. The findings are summarized as follows.

1) The historical development of the Tai Lue group has been passed down from generation to generation. The development has been evident in terms of their livelihoods, society, and community rules. Their cultural conservation patterns have evolved and been modified in accordance with socio-economic factors. Cultural activities have changed on an annual basis due to tourism trends of tourists in the age of globalization. Therefore, cultural identity of the ethnic group, which is an expression of its traditions, culture and lifestyle, has presently been utilized more to promote tourism of the communities.

2) The development of the conservation model was done through the process of meaning creation reflected via cultural symbols that were related to tourism. The symbolic meaning creation was based on the needs to maintain its culture by using tourism as a tool for its cultural transmission. Additionally, the ethnic group has clearly expressed its symbolic identity with distinct and unchanged cultural identity.

3) The assessment of the conservation model brought about tourism management with an aim to attract more tourists and make them spend more. The assessment guideline of the community tourism is that an important sustainable tourism management is tourism operations must seriously be aware of a capacity to accommodate numbers of tourists in terms of tourist attractions, nature, community members, traditions, and lifestyles of local people. It was found from this investigation that sustainable tourism management as a conservation model must be related to the local economy, society, and culture. Sustainable economy is done through adapting traditional ways according to current circumstances, particularly the agricultural ways, despite being more single crop agricultural production and using machines to replace beasts of burden. Sustainable society is a social management by opening up a Wednesday market for community members to sell their rice-related products, kitchen vegetables, and organic produce. The establishment of the market is meant as an ethnic street on Wednesdays. Sustainable culture is in the dimension of applying traditional rituals to promote tourism in accordance with the ethnic lifestyle with tourism products and product development. Besides traditional practices, tourism can be used as a tool to strengthen cultural sustainability of the ethnic group