Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village

Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village

Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana^*

Published in International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 30 March 2025 Accepted: 8 April 2025 Published: 29 April 2025

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Abstract

In recent decades, the expansion of global tourism has significantly impacted ethnic minority communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural heritage and local identity are often transformed under the pressures of commercialization and modernization. Santichon Village, a Yunnan Chinese community in northern Thailand, provides a unique case study of how tourism development intersects with cultural preservation. This research was conducted to better understand how such communities navigate the dual imperatives of sustaining their cultural traditions while pursuing economic growth through tourism. By focusing on the cultural construction and transformation of Santichon Village, the study investigates the complex interplay between internal community dynamics and external tourism forces. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and participatory observation, the paper analyzes how the village responds to tourism through four key perspectives: dynamic adaptation, human-nature interaction, cultural diversity promotion, and community empowerment. The findings reveal that Santichon Village has adopted a strategic approach to cultural innovation—transforming traditional Yunnan customs, cuisine, and architecture to meet modern tourist expectations, while retaining core cultural values. Additionally, eco-friendly infrastructure and inclusive community governance have played vital roles in ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among residents. The study argues that tourism development in ethnic rural communities can be sustainable when rooted in local participation, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness. Santichon Village’s experience illustrates a model of culturally sensitive tourism that aligns with the broader goals of social equity and cultural resilience. The insights gained from this case provide practical implications for other rural and ethnic communities grappling with the tensions between cultural continuity and economic modernization.

Published in	International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
Page(s)	94-104
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Santichon Village, Sustainable Tourism, Yunnan Chinese Community, Host-Guest Interaction

References

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Ariyasapwatthana, D. (2025). Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 11(2), 94-104. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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ACS Style

Ariyasapwatthana, D. Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2025, 11(2), 94-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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AMA Style

Ariyasapwatthana D. Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2025;11(2):94-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14,
  author = {Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana},
  title = {Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {94-104},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  abstract = {In recent decades, the expansion of global tourism has significantly impacted ethnic minority communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural heritage and local identity are often transformed under the pressures of commercialization and modernization. Santichon Village, a Yunnan Chinese community in northern Thailand, provides a unique case study of how tourism development intersects with cultural preservation. This research was conducted to better understand how such communities navigate the dual imperatives of sustaining their cultural traditions while pursuing economic growth through tourism. By focusing on the cultural construction and transformation of Santichon Village, the study investigates the complex interplay between internal community dynamics and external tourism forces. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and participatory observation, the paper analyzes how the village responds to tourism through four key perspectives: dynamic adaptation, human-nature interaction, cultural diversity promotion, and community empowerment. The findings reveal that Santichon Village has adopted a strategic approach to cultural innovation—transforming traditional Yunnan customs, cuisine, and architecture to meet modern tourist expectations, while retaining core cultural values. Additionally, eco-friendly infrastructure and inclusive community governance have played vital roles in ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among residents. The study argues that tourism development in ethnic rural communities can be sustainable when rooted in local participation, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness. Santichon Village’s experience illustrates a model of culturally sensitive tourism that aligns with the broader goals of social equity and cultural resilience. The insights gained from this case provide practical implications for other rural and ethnic communities grappling with the tensions between cultural continuity and economic modernization.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village

AU  - Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana
Y1  - 2025/04/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
SP  - 94
EP  - 104
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1832
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
AB  - In recent decades, the expansion of global tourism has significantly impacted ethnic minority communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural heritage and local identity are often transformed under the pressures of commercialization and modernization. Santichon Village, a Yunnan Chinese community in northern Thailand, provides a unique case study of how tourism development intersects with cultural preservation. This research was conducted to better understand how such communities navigate the dual imperatives of sustaining their cultural traditions while pursuing economic growth through tourism. By focusing on the cultural construction and transformation of Santichon Village, the study investigates the complex interplay between internal community dynamics and external tourism forces. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and participatory observation, the paper analyzes how the village responds to tourism through four key perspectives: dynamic adaptation, human-nature interaction, cultural diversity promotion, and community empowerment. The findings reveal that Santichon Village has adopted a strategic approach to cultural innovation—transforming traditional Yunnan customs, cuisine, and architecture to meet modern tourist expectations, while retaining core cultural values. Additionally, eco-friendly infrastructure and inclusive community governance have played vital roles in ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among residents. The study argues that tourism development in ethnic rural communities can be sustainable when rooted in local participation, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness. Santichon Village’s experience illustrates a model of culturally sensitive tourism that aligns with the broader goals of social equity and cultural resilience. The insights gained from this case provide practical implications for other rural and ethnic communities grappling with the tensions between cultural continuity and economic modernization.

VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana

School of Sociology and Anthropology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2969-1540

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Ariyasapwatthana, D. (2025). Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 11(2), 94-104. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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ACS Style

Ariyasapwatthana, D. Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2025, 11(2), 94-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

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AMA Style

Ariyasapwatthana D. Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2025;11(2):94-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14,
  author = {Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana},
  title = {Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {94-104},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20251102.14},
  abstract = {In recent decades, the expansion of global tourism has significantly impacted ethnic minority communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural heritage and local identity are often transformed under the pressures of commercialization and modernization. Santichon Village, a Yunnan Chinese community in northern Thailand, provides a unique case study of how tourism development intersects with cultural preservation. This research was conducted to better understand how such communities navigate the dual imperatives of sustaining their cultural traditions while pursuing economic growth through tourism. By focusing on the cultural construction and transformation of Santichon Village, the study investigates the complex interplay between internal community dynamics and external tourism forces. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and participatory observation, the paper analyzes how the village responds to tourism through four key perspectives: dynamic adaptation, human-nature interaction, cultural diversity promotion, and community empowerment. The findings reveal that Santichon Village has adopted a strategic approach to cultural innovation—transforming traditional Yunnan customs, cuisine, and architecture to meet modern tourist expectations, while retaining core cultural values. Additionally, eco-friendly infrastructure and inclusive community governance have played vital roles in ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among residents. The study argues that tourism development in ethnic rural communities can be sustainable when rooted in local participation, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness. Santichon Village’s experience illustrates a model of culturally sensitive tourism that aligns with the broader goals of social equity and cultural resilience. The insights gained from this case provide practical implications for other rural and ethnic communities grappling with the tensions between cultural continuity and economic modernization.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Host and Tourist Dynamics: Exploring Sustainable Landscape in Santichon Village

AU  - Dueanphen Ariyasapwatthana
Y1  - 2025/04/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
SP  - 94
EP  - 104
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1832
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251102.14
AB  - In recent decades, the expansion of global tourism has significantly impacted ethnic minority communities, particularly in rural areas where cultural heritage and local identity are often transformed under the pressures of commercialization and modernization. Santichon Village, a Yunnan Chinese community in northern Thailand, provides a unique case study of how tourism development intersects with cultural preservation. This research was conducted to better understand how such communities navigate the dual imperatives of sustaining their cultural traditions while pursuing economic growth through tourism. By focusing on the cultural construction and transformation of Santichon Village, the study investigates the complex interplay between internal community dynamics and external tourism forces. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and participatory observation, the paper analyzes how the village responds to tourism through four key perspectives: dynamic adaptation, human-nature interaction, cultural diversity promotion, and community empowerment. The findings reveal that Santichon Village has adopted a strategic approach to cultural innovation—transforming traditional Yunnan customs, cuisine, and architecture to meet modern tourist expectations, while retaining core cultural values. Additionally, eco-friendly infrastructure and inclusive community governance have played vital roles in ensuring equitable participation and benefit-sharing among residents. The study argues that tourism development in ethnic rural communities can be sustainable when rooted in local participation, cultural pride, and environmental consciousness. Santichon Village’s experience illustrates a model of culturally sensitive tourism that aligns with the broader goals of social equity and cultural resilience. The insights gained from this case provide practical implications for other rural and ethnic communities grappling with the tensions between cultural continuity and economic modernization.

VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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