Guidelines for Tourism Potential Development According to Community-Based Tourism Standards in Ko Yo Subdistrict, Songkhla Province

Abstract

        Research on "Developing community-based tourism management standards in Koh Yao subdistrict, Songkhla province" aimed to evaluate the tourism potential against community-based tourism standards and propose development strategies. This paper employs a qualitative research method known as purposeful sampling to conduct in-depth interviews with 32 key stakeholders involved in tourism management within the local community. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis method, semi-structured interview and in-depth interview. According to assessment form for community-based tourism management standards across six dimensions.
          The research findings revealed assessments across six dimensions of community-based tourism standards: community tourism management (good range, 2.41 point); economic, social, and quality of life management (excellent range, 3.75 point); conservation and promotion of community cultural heritage (excellent range, 3.67 point); sustainable and systematic natural resource and environmental management (good range, 2.03 point); quality of community-based tourism services promotion (good range, 2.46 point); and collaboration between communities and entrepreneurs who access markets and collaborating with external tour operators (good range, 2.59 point). The overall assessment indicated a score of 70.71%, falling within the good range for four dimensions and excellent for two.
          However, guidelines for developing tourism potential are consistent with community tourism standards. The community should have a pattern for collecting tourist statistics. Monetary and accounting management, the collection of information on cultural heritage, gathering information on natural resources in the community, and tourism activities must be linked with community ways and create agreements between tour operators to set common guidelines for increasing tourism potential and requesting certification of community-based tourism standards.