The Development Guidelines for the Herbal Health Tourism Learning Resources Based on the Bio-economy in Rong Chang Sub-district, Pa Daet District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) analyze the potential of herbal health tourism learning resources, 2) design and develop herbal health tourism learning resources, and 3) recommend the guidelines for developing herbal health tourism learning resources based on the bio-economy in Rong Chang Sub-district, Pa Daet District, Chiang Rai Province. This research is qualitative. The sample was 25 tourism stakeholders who were selected by purposive sampling. The instruments for collecting data were in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis of data was conducted by content analysis. The research results were found as follows: 1) Rong Chang Sub-district has the potential to be a learning resource, including herbal health tourism with suitable natural tourism attractions, an inheritor of herbal knowledge according to the Mon Ya area in Rong Chang for local treatment, documents of herbal therapy, and herbal knowledge according to the four elements (earth, water, wind, and fire) in the Rong Chang Sub-district. 2) The project plan for the herbal health tourism learning resources covers 25 types of herbs designed by the participation of the community, including the project plan, the entrance plan with a tree tunnel, earth element herbal zone plan, water element herbal zone plan, wind element herbal zone plan, and fire element herbal zone plan. These plans consider the aesthetics and rarity of the herbs. 3) The research recommended the seven guidelines for the development of herbal health tourism learning resources, including (1) inheriting the identity of community herbs, (2) managing herbal zones, (3) innovators of herbal health tourism, (4) herbal health products and services, (5) creating herbal health tourism activities, (6) management of health tourism attractions, and (7) participation.