Development, success and potentiality development of tourism social enterprises in Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to study tourism social enterprises in Thailand in development, operational concepts, business models, management, and social innovations. Including achievements and conditions for achievements, impacts on the economic, social, and environment, as well as proposing guidelines for potentiality development of tourism social enterprises development in Thailand. There were 5 case studies of successful tourism social enterprises and 45 key informants selected purposively. In which in-depth interviews and non-participant observation were used in data collection. Data were analyzed by using content analysis, logical thinking, cross-case analysis, and interpretation under reality. Findings indicate that case studies of tourism social enterprises selected are similar in their origins and goals. They started with aspirations to run tourism businesses for making profit coupled with to solve social problems. Their models of operation might differ affected by their business characteristics and influencing groups behind the businesses. Nevertheless, every case adopted the development principles based on the philosophy of sufficiency economy and enhanced the involvement of administrators, workers, and members of local communities. Conditions for achievement appeared to be similar among cases. They all have leaders with good visions and ideologies helpful for operating social enterprises. Appropriate social innovations were created. And social, natural, as well as cultural capitals, were used. These brought about positive impacts on economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Essential guidelines for potentiality development of tourism social enterprises included setting operational strategies suitable for contexts and characteristics of each enterprise as well as support and should be made by both state and private sectors to promote tourism social enterprises for effective and efficient operation.