DEVELOP ECOTOURISM ASSOCIATED WITH KHMER CULTURE IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION

Abstract

This study aims to identify factors of Khmer’s cultural festival and cuisine affecting ecotourism development at Mekong Delta region where Khmer compatriot is living. The study was realized a combination of qualitative and quantitative research method. Qualitative research was conducted through focus group discussions with experts. Quantitative research was conducted through direct interviews with managers, tourism enterprises in the Mekong Delta region. The result has shown that there are 4 factors of Khmer’s cultural festival and cuisine affecting ecotourism development at Mekong Delta region where Khmer compatriot is living, including (1) Khmer cuisine culture; (2) Khmer people’ religious faith rituals; (3) Traditional faith rituals; (4) Khmer compatriot’s traditional festival activities. From these findings, the study proposes some policy implications for ecotourism associated with Khmer culture in the Mekong Delta region with a large Khmer compatriot.