Winkler Christina, BSc.

Email: cwinkler(at)gmx.at

Education

since October 2011
Vienna University of Technology
Masters programme
„Regional Planning and Development“
Emphasis on Traffic Planning, Regional Development and Sustainability

2012
Study semester abroad
Universidad del País Vasco, San Sebastián, Spain

2008-2011
Vienna University of Technology
Bachelors programme
„Regional Planning and Development“

 

Master thesis associated with the PhD-Project Ecotourism in Laos

„Perception of Western tourists on benefits and burden-sharing from ecotourism in Laos“

The master thesis focuses on the perception of Western tourists on ecotourism in protected areas, in particular on benefit and burden sharing among stakeholders. The overall objective of this project is to examine the benefits/burden sharing among stakeholders from the development of ecotourism in Laos PDR and further to investigate how ecotourism has contributed to the conservation activities in the protected areas. The research was conducted in protected areas located in Northern and Central Laos where ecotourism plays an important role in socio-economic development of the communities living in and at the close-by areas of these national parks.

The following research questions should be answered:

• What are the tourists´ expectations of a sustainable tourism and can these expectations be satisfied by the conditions in Laos/ in the local context of the study areas?
• What is the perception of Western tourists regarding benefit and burden sharing in local communities involved in ecotourism projects?
• Which development scenarios do Western tourists see for sustainable tourism in Laos/ in the two study areas? Which potential challenges and risks are associated with these scenarios?

Supervisors
supervisor: Muhar Andreas, Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. nat.techn.
co-supervisor: Getzner Michael, Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.