Abstract
Collaborating with host communities, while respecting their culture, is crucial when planning tourism ventures, particularly if ensuring sustainability is seen as important. Jeju Island in Korea is facing significant changes due to the recent influx of tourists. Will these changes affect the dignity of the local residents? This paper examines the cultural sustainability of the Island and whether community-based tourism collaboration ensures sustainability through in-depth interviews with local residents. The first part of the interview deals with several cultural components to assess the current situation of cultural sustainability on the Island. The second part relates to the collaboration. The findings indicate that: 1) There are certain negative indications of cultural sustainability in Jeju as the residents' power became vulnerable in the face of tourism demand; 2) Notwithstanding beneficial trends, several barriers exist in the facilitation of community-based tourism collaboration; and 3) There is a strong relationship between collaboration and cultural sustainability. However, it is also noted that the collaboration itself does not coincide with the actualization of cultural sustainability as long as current power disparities exist. Therefore, in addition to expecting good sustainable tourism policy and management, the residents of Jeju Island, must acquire power by themselves by altering their attitudes and abilities.