The Potential and Management Guidelines for the Natural Tourism, Three Phu, Bueng Kan province, Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this qualitative research were: 1) to study the potential of nature-based tourism attractions; and 2) to provide guidelines for the management of nature-based tourism of 3 national parks in Bueng Kan province including Phuwua Wildlife Sanctuary, Phu Sing National Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phu Langka National Park. Research methodologies were qualitative and quantitative. Data were collected from in-depth interviews and focused-group discussions. Participants received from a purposive sampling consisted of government representatives, community leaders, and entrepreneurs in all three areas. The collected data was analyzed using a content analysis technique and quantitative research tools using questionnaires from 400 Thai tourists who visited natural tourist attractions in Bueng Kan Province. The researcher chose to use random sampling. From tourists who come to visit natural tourist attractions in Bueng Kan Province.

The study found that: 1) The overall potential of nature-based tourism attractions of 3 national parks in Bueng Kan province was at a high level ( = 4.07). When considering each aspect, the study revealed that the reputation of the tourist attractions was rated to have the highest potential ( = 4.34) followed by the environmental conditions within the park/wildlife sanctuary ( = 4.12), the various accessibilities to the tourist attraction ( = 4.09), the nature of the tourist attraction ( = 4.05), the restrictions in accommodating tourists ( = 4.01), and the safety and convenience of the tourist attractions was rated to have the lowest potential ( = 3.84). 2) Guidelines for the management of nature-based tourism in the 3 areas in Bueng Kan province can be determined as follows: providing packages to promote tourism during long holidays through digital media and to promote the 3 natural tourist attractions as the main tourism calendar of Bueng Kan province, using digital media and incorporating innovations in service delivery, leveraging well-known individuals as tourism brand ambassadors, and promoting comprehensive tourism business group. In addition, the study also suggested that related agencies and sectors must actively participate in the development of the area for tourism, renewable energy should be used as the primary source, eco-tourism policies should be implemented, the virtual reality tourism technology should be developed to create motivation, and OTOP souvenirs both consumables and utility items should be developed for promoting tourism during the long holiday.