Co – Management Guideline for Tourism Development in Krasaesin District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the potential of tourist attractions and to assess the strength of community in tourism management Krasaesin district Songkhla province. 2) to set guidelines for joint management between the public sectors, the private sectors and the community in the development of tourism in Krasaesin district Songkhla province. The qualitative research method was employed, involving participatory observation, in-depth interview, and focus group with 50 key informants, including representatives from public and private sectors, as well as the community.

The results were as follows: The potential of tourism destinations and the evaluation of community tourism management found that Krasaesin district has natural tourism resources and convenient access to tourist attractions. There are historical attractions and local legends that link to the cultural values and spiritual resources. There are also cultural and traditional tourism resources linked to livelihoods and ways of life. The guidelines for collaborative management among the government sectors, private sectors, and community in the development of tourism in Krasaesin district were studied, and it was found that it is necessary to develop a master plan for tourism development at the district level. The plan should involve representatives from the government sectors, local organizations, community enterprises, and occupational groups to collaborate in creating project plans and budget plans. Both short-term and long-term plans should be developed, including activity-based projects to support tourism, the creation of an annual activity calendar, budget planning through government agencies, and the continuous implementation of promotional activities in the area.