• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-75
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• 2015

In analyzing the issues of ecotourism, collecting opinions of local residents and participants is an essential process because ecotourism needs to keep ecological sensitivity and respect local residents' ecological lives. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the local participants' attitude in resident-oriented ecotourism. Maha ecotourism site, as a study site, is located in Pyeongchang-gun, one of the twelve ecotourism sites designated by the Ministry of Environment. This site has drawn attention since the local government of Pyeongchang-gun transferred its management right on Maha ecotourism sit to the organization of local residents in 2013. This study uses Q methodology which is the most popular research method in analyzing people's subjectivity, that is, viewpoint and attitude. This study have found that there are four features in the subjectivities of participants toward ecotourism site: first group is the people who want more autonomous management right of local residents on Maha ecotourism site. Second group is the people who only want to stand by the ecotourism management. Third group is the people who focus on the migration of talented persons into their neighborhood owing to the program. Lastly, fourth group is the people who focus on the quality of the ecotourism program. In case of the second group, though they have negative opinions of the program, they have much interest in successful cases in other countries managed similar programs with Maha ecotourism. It would be effective for the group to have opportunities to experience successful ecotourism cases in other countries. On top of it, having seminars regarding ecotourism or holding community councils frequently would be very helpful for encouraging the second group of people to join in the ecotourism program actively like other groups of people. Supplying more manpower and developing various programs are also necessary in order to support other three groups.