Applied GEO Information System to Manage Community Tourism in Laem Phak Bia Community, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to apply the geo-informatics system in the preparation of tourist and community product maps in Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province. The samples used in the research were: 1) 12 government officials, academics, and private sector entrepreneurs selected by purposive sampling; and 2) 20 people in Laem Phak Bia Sub-district used a snowball sampling method or a chain sampling method to represent the population in the area. The research tools were in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics to find frequency, percentage, and mean.

The research results found that the geo-informatics system showed the potential of community tourism in the Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province (100%). First of all, the Laem Phak Bia area has a variety of tourist attractions. Both natural attractions and man-made attractions can be developed into new tourist attractions. There are community sources for the distribution of products, such as sea grape farms, processed seafood, and other products. Secondly, accessing Laem Phak Bia is convenient (87.50%) because it is on an easily accessible route. However, there is still no bus service. Thirdly, in the Laem Phak Bia area, there are hotel facilities, accommodations, and restaurants ready to welcome visitors (87.50%). The survey found that Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province had a total of 22 tourist attractions, 14 important places, 18 places of accommodation, 32 places of food and drink and shops and services, and 16 places of production and distribution of community products. The spatial database and the map of the data were set, namely the administrative boundary, transport routes, attractions, landmarks, hotels and accommodations, and facilities. They were combined with satellite imagery maps, special maps, and the location of the Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). These were used to create a spatial database before using the ArcGIS geospatial program to analyze the network using the best route command to create a tourist and Laem Phak Bia community products map and a ready-made travel program. Tourist routes were mixed to show the attractiveness of the area. There were three routes under the conditions of time and distance: 1) mangrove nature study route (Fragrant of Mangrove Forest), a half-day program with a distance of 4.4 kilometers, taking about 3 hours and 51 minutes; 2) the royal initiative project in the community study route (Following the King), the 1-day program, a distance of 4.4 kilometers, taking about 5 hours and 42 minutes; and 3) a nature and community way of life study route (Charm of Laem Phak Bia), the 2-day, 1-night program with a distance of 22.3 kilometers, taking about 20 hours and 4 minutes.