Ecotourism and Social Cohesion: Contrasting Phobjikha and Laya Experiences

Abstract

Phobjikha and Laya stand as popular tourist destinations in Bhutan, with much potential for future Sustainable Development initiatives that seek to dovetail conservation and livelihood concerns. While ecotourism has been employed in each location, they have done so through different strategies, resulting in differing social outcomes. Through the lens of Neoliberal Conservation, social cohesion, a key GNH indicator, was assessed in each location to understand the broader impact of ecotourism on local communities. Results show communities of Phobjikha experiencing a loss of community cohesion due to increased competition and privatization introduced by the ecotourism sector. As such, ecotourism in this context serves as a quintessential neoliberal project. In contrast, Laya residents express increased social cohesion and lack resentment towards neighbors who serve as competitors for limited tourist earnings.
These differences are attributed to existing economic stability, threshold capacities for tourist numbers, and the influence of external actors. As such, these conditions serve as a cautionary note to policy makers, and both communities, as they look to expand ecotourism opportunities in their respective regions.