Capacity Building of Tourism personals in order to Nominate Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakon Si Thammarat as a World Heritage Site

Abstract

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is so called the symbol of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in which is part of the Tentative List in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List. In order to prepare for the nomination of world heritage, the capacity building for tourism personals in the tourism network is required to widen their knowledge, skills and attributes of protection and preserving forthcoming world heritage site in the sustainably way.  The objectives of research were (1) to analyze the current situation and the capacity of the tourism network in preparing to nominate as a world heritage site and (2) to develop capacity building program in preparing to nominate as a world heritage site. The process of this study involved qualitative research method. It was found that tourism personals in tourism network needed to improve their knowledge about tourism planning and management as well as the body of knowledge about Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.  Moreover, the skills about tourism management, as well as the communicating skills needed to be enhanced. As for the aspects of attributes, the tourism personals need to develop their personality, the unique appearance and service mind.  There were 3 capacity building programs developing from this research which were Program 1 for local community, Program 2 for tourism business and Program 3 for supporting agencies. The capacity building topics were varies including tourism management and planning, being a good host, personality development to support tourism in world heritage site, English communication for the world heritage site, establishing service standards, and creating valuable experiences to tourists.