A model of the development of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism

Abstract

This research is both quantitative and qualitative. The objectives of the research are: 1) to study the community-based tourism environment in designated areas for sustainable tourism, 2) to assess the potential of communities in developing community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism, 3) to study the process of the development of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism, and 4) to create a model of the development of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism. The sample groups used in the quantitative research are: 1) 500 participants (parties) in charge of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism 2) 400 Thai tourists travelling to the designated areas. The statistical tools used in the data analysis include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, the Chi-square test, the T-test, and the F-test or oneway ANOVA. The sample group used in doing the qualitative research was a group of 52 parties/participants in charge of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism. One of the research tools for the qualitative research was a semi-structured interview. Another tool was holding a large group discussion with 42 related parties. The results of this study, regarding the first objective show that: 1) a lack of participation of most locals, lack of knowledge and understanding of community-based tourism, financial assistance, and convenience of transport. 2) a growing number of tourists from ASEAN member countries and the government’s policies. 3) Related and supporting industries are five places of accommodation where there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of administrating government’s policies concerning macro investment. Also, there is low private sector participation in promoting the tourism industry. 4) a high level of competition among neighboring provinces. Concerning the second objective, the results indicate: 1) community potential in terms of knowledge (1) a lack of knowledge of natural resources and traditions (2) a lack of knowledge of restoration of tourism resources and waste reduction in natural resources (3) a lack of knowledge of the economy and culture (4) a lack of knowledge of traditions, culture, scenery, and history (5) a lack of knowledge of the psychology of selling, investment cooperation, market positioning, traveling seasons, products and prices, and (6) having all knowledge of tourism propensity 2) community potential in terms of attitude (1) high attitude towards community-based tourism (2) high attitude towards communitybased tourism management 3) community potential in terms of skills (1) moderately skilled at speaking foreign languages (2) moderately skilled at serving as local guides, carrying out tourism activities, and performing first aid (3) highly leadership skills 4) moderately able to write plans, monitor and assess and improve processes. As for the third objective, six steps under the current process of development of communitybased tourism were discovered: (1) generating. (2) seeking leaders, (3) establishing clubs, (4) tourism planning, (5) carrying out work, (6) monitoring and assessing. Therefore, the model for the development of community-based tourism management in designated areas for sustainable tourism processes consists of nine steps, in which all steps are have received approval from all parties after the large group meeting: 1) knowledge and understanding development of community-based tourism, 2) development of participation, 3) leadership improvement, 4) unit development, 5) tourism strategic plan development, 6) tourism resource development for community empowerment, 7) enhancing of marketing, 8) development of operations, and 9) development of monitoring systems.