Tourism development in developing countries case study in Lao PDR | |
| Author | Sengchanh Vanvongsot |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.SM-04-72 |
| Subject(s) | Tourism--Laos Tourism--Developing countries |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. SM-04-72 |
| Abstract | This study was conducted to respond to the current situation of the tourism development in the developing countries especially in the Lao PDR with particular emphasis on two sites; first the Government's Policy, Strategies and Planning; then following with the Carrying Capacity of the country through various opinions of all involving parties -- the Government officials, Managers of Private and Public tourism companies, and International Organizations (ADB) -- in Vientiane Prefecture, where tourism activities are better organized and implemented. A great many acti vities have been conducted in the Lao PDR at the national level related to Tourism. The study was designed to identify what are the opportunities and challenges to developing countries especially the Lao PDR to develop tourism industry. The methods employed in this study began with techniques to collect secondary data from the website and the Official Organizations, who involve with tourism tasks in the Lao PDR such as the National Tourism Authority of Lao PDR (NTAL). Following step was to collect primary data such as questionnaire survey, informal interview with international tourists and formal interview with key informants. The objectives of this work was to describe the state of tourism in the Lao PDR and the potential to develop the study area, to examine and identify the current government operation in tourism development issues, and to gather opinions and suggestion from all stakeholders who involved in this industry. The reviews of relevant documents and textbooks provided an understanding of the government framework as well as background knowledge on tourism development planning. Opportunities, BatTiers and Challenges were then conducted in order to understand the actual situation of tourism in the Lao PDR. Finally, the results of the analysis and data collected were included and combined to become the basis for proposing policy guidelines, strategies and action plans for developing tourism at the national level. It was realized that the absence of Carrying Capacity concerns in a tourism management plan may cause to slow growth in tourism development. Inadequate infrastructure, low quality in facilities and services, no plan for tourism product differentiation, not enough tourism attractions, and insufficient strategies are the main baniers to persuade international tourists extending their length of stays. The study emphasized the realistic competitiveness, and the strategic planning of tourism development from three developing countries - Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand - in order to evaluate the tourism-development opportunities for developing countries. In the same time, the evaluation would lead to basic guides for the Lao PDR to analyze the best ways for developing tourism industry by learning from these neighborhood countries. The study also emphasized on analyzing the importance of Laos' Carrying Capacity, planning and the realistic tourism development in order to look through the opportunities for further tourism development. In response to that concern, recommendations were made to be as basic guidelines for step of developing the tourism industry to the nation and also to be as feasibility criteria for further studies. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. SM-04-72 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Tang, John CS.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Truong Quang ;Zimmermann, Willi; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of France ;AIT Fellowship; |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M.BA.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |