This research tested the assumption that sustainable tourism depends on inter-governmental collaboration, focusing on factors to measure collaboration, factors to measure sustainable tourism, and to what extent collaboration influences sustainable tourism.

1. Six Nations, One River:
Testing a Model of Perceived Effects of Inter governmental Collaboration on
Sustainable Tourism in the Greater Mekong Sub region
Soriya Yin, PhD., Ingrid E. Schneider, Ph.D., & Stephan Carlson, Ph.D.
Figure 2: Greater Mekong Sub-region, ADB.
Purpose and Research Questions:
Collaboration is one of the most frequently recommended strategies to address
global issues such as climate change, spreading diseases, and fighting terrorism
(Gray, 1989) –– but, does it work for sustainable tourism? A significant theoretical
body exists in inter governmental collaboration, but it relationship with sustainable
tourism is untested. This research sought to test the assumption that sustainable
tourism depends on inter governmental collaboration. Specifically, the study
assessed
1. What factors measure inter governmental collaboration?
2. What factors measure sustainable tourism?
3. To what extent does inter governmental collaboration influence sustainable
tourism (Figure 1, below)?
Methodology:
Study site: The Greater Mekong Sub region, which includes China, Myanmar, Laos,
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, is a suitable place for the proposed study due to
its position as a fast growing tourist destination and its length of collaboration
(Figure 2, to your right)
Questionnaire: Online to 1,125 GMS government officers; response = 359
Analysis: Structural equation modeling (SEM)
Variables: Collaboration measured by 8 factors: 1) resources, 2) administration, 3)
regional issues, 4) regional attachment, 5) mutual benefits, 6) trust, 7) governance
and 8) leadership. Sustainable tourism measured by 4 factors: 1) environmental, 2)
economic, 3) cultural and 4) social dimensions. All dimensions measured with
between 4 & 9 items
Figure 1: Proposed Model of Collaboration influence on Sustainable Tourism
Inter governmental
collaboration
Administration
Issues
Resource
Attachment
Mutuality
Trust
Governance
Leadership
Sustainable
Tourism
Economic
Cultural
Environment
Social
Key Findings:
1. What factors measure collaboration? 2. What factors measure sustainable tourism?
3. To what extent does inter governmental collaboration influence sustainable tourism?
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Discussion:
The proposed theoretical model was tested with data from the Asia’’s Greater Mekong sub
region. Empirical results reveal a modified model with eight constructs and 23 indicators that
appears to be a better fit to the data set than the proposed model (Fig 3 & 4). Inter
governmental collaboration was redefined by 4 factors (regional attachment, mutual trust,
governance and leadership) instead of 8 and it significantly influenced sustainable tourism (Fig
5). The overall fit of the modified SEM and the acceptable to high standardized loadings of the
constructs suggest empirical support for a relationship between inter governmental
collaboration and sustainable tourism. The study advances conceptual understanding of inter
governmental collaboration in sustainable tourism and adds to limited empirical literature,
particularly in the Greater Mekong Sub region. Existing collaboration models can be
reexamined with these results in mind.
Significance:
The study is significant for at least four main reasons. First, the study contributes to the
existing body of knowledge by providing a more complete and deeper understanding of inter
governmental collaboration and its specific application in tourism. Second, it adds to existing
work by expanding use of the SEM approach in tourism. Third, it informs policy development
by providing scientific information on how to improve inter governmental collaboration to
achieve sustainable tourism. Finally, it provides practitioners with specific and concrete
measurements and indicators of sustainable tourism collaboration.
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Figure 3: Inter governmental Collaboration Model Figure 4: Sustainable Tourism Model
Figure 5: Inter governmental Collaboration Having an Effect on Sustainable Tourism