Study for Uniqueness in Tourism Base on Sustainable Tourism Management, Mae Rim District Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This basic research has 3 objectives: 1) To study the settings of Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province 2) To promote the community involvement and to create the community strength in sustainable tourism development 3) To set the tourism uniqueness based on sustainable tourism in the areas of Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province.  The sustainable tourism management plans were based on qualitative research through non-participation observation, focus groups and community workshops.  The data analysis was presented in the Descriptive Analysis and the related literature review. The local government’s strategic plan of 11 Districts as indicated, have focused on the well beings and the economy in each area, but only six areas have focused on strategic tourism plan : Mae Rim Sub-District, Rim Nua Sub-District, Mae Ram Sub-District, Pong Yaeng Municipality Office, Mae Sa Municipality Office and Don Kaew Municipality Office.  In these areas, the community workshops and the community participation were used to develop the tourism sites, particularly Pong Yaeng Municipality Office, Don Kaew Municipality Office, Baan Wang Pong, Moo 6, Mhuang Kaew Municipality Office and Baan Tha Khrai, Moo 2, Mae Sa Municipality Office.

In conclusion, the tourism uniqueness in Mae Rim District based on sustainable tourism has the key factors in economy, social cultural and environment bases which are the key factors of sustainable tourism.  The study also proposed the following main factors in tourism area development:
The 1^st factor is the local people.  They should have knowledge and understanding in tourism development and the benefits of tourism by developing their skills, knowledge and ability in tourism activities continuously.  The focus should be on systematic management, good hospitality and service, situational management and involvement in community conservation promoting tourism in all the aspects.
The 2^nd factor is the way of life.  This means the conservation of historical uniqueness, the changes from the original agriculture ways to organic farming, career changes to the producers of various local products and the main and unique culture and tradition conservation. 
The 3^rd factor is the environment conservation.  Promoting to decrease the home wastes can lead to be the best environment conservation model
The 4^th factor is the Sufficiency Economy Concept.  Every home plants home-grown vegetables for own consumption and for serving tourists in homestays and in local food shops.  This can help the community to save the expenses and to earn more extra incomes.