Community support for ethnic tourism in the Central Highlands: Different views from distinct ethnic groups

Abstract

Understanding that community is heterogeneous is critical to ensuring local support for ethnic tourism. Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with ethnic villagers in four study sites: Kon Ko Tu, Buon Don, Lak, and Lac Duong of the Central Highlands (before the administrative merger), Vietnam. The current study found that most participants support ethnic tourism in the Central Highlands, but the level of support and attitudes differ across the four communities as a result of their existing socio-psychological factors and different participation levels in tourism. All communities acknowledge the economic returns from tourism participation. However, higher levels of cultural and social capital make certain communities (i.e., Lak and Lac Duong) more interested in actively participating in the decision-making process, rather than only participating in tourism activities. The higher the level of participation in tourism is, the more strongly villagers support ethnic tourism. Implications for local policymakers or tourism practitioners are discussed to address the best interests of the targeted communities, thereby achieving greater support and better outcomes for ethnic tourism development.