Modelling the evolution of spatial and ownership patterns of a peripheral tourism destination : Chiang Mai, Thailand
Date
2017-05-18
Authors
Paonak, Vinita
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The spatial evolution of control over hotels in Chiang Mai, Upper Northern Thailand
is examined using a geographical multiple research strategy and Keller's model of
hierarchies of control and capital input. The spatial development pattern of hotels in Chiang
Mai during 1960-1992 is portrayed using mapping, mean centre analysis, and spatial
clustering analysis. The geographic origin of major share owners of these hotels during the
same time period is revealed mainly from an official register records search. Structured and
unstructured interviews provide an insight into Chiang Mai’s hotels and tourism
development, and the underlying industry control. The spatial evolution of control over the
hotels is revealed from a statistical analysis of association measurement of spatial
development and development pattern of geographic origin of hotel major share owners. The
potential validity of Keller’s model of hierarchy of control and capital input, and of Butler’s
model of tourist area life cycle (the model from which Keller’s model is extended) is
examined in a Southeast Asian context. Both models prove valid as “theoretical guide posts” or as conceptual frameworks. The models lay out the stages of development of a tourist
destination: Butler’s in general evolution, Keller’s in hierarchies of control. Using both
models together facilitates the identification of a current development stage of a tourist
destination, in this case, Chiang Mai. The label of the hierarchical levels of control over a
tourist destination, however, is site-specific depending on the political economy of the
region. In a developing country destination like Thailand, the primacy of the capital city is
eminent. The hierarchical levels of control thus proceed from the local, to regional, to the
capital city, to the national, and the international, consecutively. A spatial model of control
over tourism space is proposed, filling the gap that presently exists in the study of geography
of tourism and tourism control.
Description
Keywords
Tourism