Community-based ecotourism operation : help or hindrance of the external forces

Most community-based ecotourism (CBET) research omits the importance of external forces and disregards various tourism stakeholders by solely emphasising on the hosts. Establishing long-term empowerment and participation in CBET requires in-depth knowledge of ecotourism and operational management; CBET will beef festive only when hosts are truly embedded with such knowledge and capability. Unlike in developed countries, local communities in Thailand typically lack the necessary operational knowledge. Collaboration with and assistance from external tourism stakeholders is, therefore, vital. Consequently, this paper seeks to understand the dependent relationship of a CBET village with external agencies in relation to the operation of CBET, and examines whether this relationship enhances the quality of life of the local people. The findings reveal that without reinforcement from local, national and international sectors, the CBET can not be instituted at a local level and to achieve quality of life via CBET operation, the conflict within the community needs to be solved, otherwise, any external support is meaningless or internally infuses greater conflict. Yet, the long-term involvement of these sectors tends to create tourism sustainability towards a better quality of life.