Factors of trans-boundary tourism sustainable development in dynamics of South-East Asia regionalization (the case of Thailand- Laos - China tourism cluster)

Abstract

One of the most notable tourism occurring in the global travel industry today is the growing of trans-boundary tourism especially in context of ASEAN countries. Thailand in particularly, has faced with the dramatically growth of tourist numbers across the border area of R3A (Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Southern Republic of China) in addition to immerging negative impacts to the destinations and their local communities. To maximize benefits from the situation, this study aims to investigate the potential and readiness of trans-boundary tourism system and types of tourism that promoting tourism linkage within the travelling route of R3A. Four case studies were investigated including Chiang Khong district in Thailand, Luang Namtha in Laos PDR, Xishuangbanna and Kunming in the Southern Republic of China.