Comparative case study on the Miao communities.

This research project looks at the development of ethnic tourism in two local Miao communities – Langde and Nanhua. Based on survey findings and observations, Langde is still relatively unexplored by tourists but Nanhua experiences a relatively high degree of commercialization. Findings have shown that with increasing foreign influences from tourism, the Nanhua villagers are moving away from their traditional ways of life to a greater form of modernity, maintaining their traditions only in a staged form for “cultural performances”. As will be discussed during the analysis, such forms of cultural tourism can have severe negative impacts, if not managed properly. The most significant of these, is the gradual loss of cultural authenticity, which then leads to tourism decline. In view of this, several recommendations are proposed to minimize these identified ill-effects of cultural tourism on the two Miao communities, so as to bring about sustainable tourism development. The proposed management strategy includes working closely with the relevant stakeholders (e.g. local provincial government) so that the local communities have access to both information and opportunity to participate in the planning and management process of tourism development. Another management strategy is the establishment of cultural centers which allow tourists to observe traditional performances in an authentic setting