Tourism at the roof of the world: young hosts assess tourism community futures in Lhasa, Tibet

Young Tibetan 'post-80s' youth prioritize environmental preservation, cultural appreciation, and open-minded tourism policies for Lhasa's future. This study reveals their nuanced perceptions of tourism assets—ranging from heritage sites to local customs—and identifies four distinct groups with varying levels of support for tourism as a livelihood choice. Using social representations theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the research integrates emic and etic approaches through photo-elicitation interviews, focus groups, and surveys, offering insights into community-level aspirations in a non-Western urban context. Findings highlight the influence of cultural values, institutional arrangements, and vulnerability on tourism perceptions, while contrasting urban and suburban youth preferences for community-based development over external investment.

Wu, M.-Y. (2012). Tourism at the roof of the world: young hosts assess tourism community futures in Lhasa, Tibet [James Cook University]. https://doi.org/10.25903/CP2D-1H54