| 초록 |
The purpose of the present study is to examine the characteristics of intermediary organizations for rural tourism by analyzing how they are run, especially in Yangpyeong-gun and Icheon-si Nadri groups, and to further look for the desirable role they should play. Since the activities of these intermediary groups have not been accumulated enough to be able to be used for a study, grounded theory was adopted as deemed appropriate among other qualitative research approaches for this paper. Three main findings of the current research are as follows. First, the rural tourism intermediary organizations have characteristics that are leaning towards local villages more than visitors, although they are in the middle of a spectrum stretching between 'visitors to the green villages' on one end and the 'green villages' on the other end. Second, the intermediary groups work not just as a bridge among different green villages but also as a mediator, facilitator and a guide, noting that such roles can vary significantly depending on the level of competence of the groups themselves and the extent to which the government steps in. Third, the tourism intermediary organizations can contribute to local community-building, going beyond the boundaries of green village. They help to improve the quality of tour experience which leads to revitalization of local economy, and during the course of operating the intermediary groups, the community in the village can set up rules and resolve disputes and conflicts. Thus, the activities of the groups have the potential to create a local community by affecting not just at a village level but to a broader area where their operation is based on. Implications of this study are suggested in three ways. First, the paper looked at the interaction between rural tourism intermediary organizations and stakeholder in a comprehensive way with a qualitative research approach taken. Second, it identified the role and tasks of rural tourism intermediary organizations. Third, it is important to ensure that the tourism intermediary organizations play the local community-oriented role. |
