GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING THE HOMESTAY ACCOMMODATIONS IN BANG PHLI DISTRICT, SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this study were (1) to study the demographic characteristics of entrepreneurs who provide homestay accommodations and the general condition of homestay accommodations that are still available in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province; (2) to study the needs of tourists for homestay accommodations; and (3) to develop the guidelines for establishing the homestay accommodations appropriate for the identity of community in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. This research was a mixed-method research involving quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In the quantitative research, a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 35 purposively selected homestay accommodations still available in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. Also, a questionnaire was used to collect data on the needs for homestay accommodation from 400 samples of tourists. Research data were statistically analyzed with the use of the frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In the qualitative research, there were several ways of data collection such as observation and informal conversation by in-depth interviewing of 25 key research informants. Research data were analyzed with content analysis.

The research findings revealed that most of the accommodations could accommodate 1-3 tourists per room/house; in the aspect of food and beverage, local materials/raw materials were used to prepare food and beverage; there was the first aid service with common household medicines and first aid devices in good condition for tourists; the hosts and their members provided warm hospitality to tourists; there were interesting tourist attractions in the area but there was no clear touring program; there were community products to be bought as souvenirs but there was still no production of souvenirs that were the community symbols; there was the combining into groups of the villagers but there was still no combining into groups of homestay entrepreneurs; as for the public relations, there were printed pamphlets for tourists to make sightseeing in the community by themselves.

Regarding the needs of the specific group of homestay tourists, it was found that their overall need was at the high level. As for the guidelines for establishing the homestay accommodations appropriate for the community identity, it was suggested that they should be located close to community tourist attractions and have enough areas for doing activities; they should have a pleasant atmosphere without any decorated environment while maintaining the identity of the dwelling place; the local identity products should be used to decorate the common area of the homestay accommodation; the homestay accommodation should be located in the areas that are not difficult to access; there should be the historical background of the community, folklores, and activities so that the tourists could perceive and learn; there should be menus of local foods made from local raw materials; there should be a place to sell raw materials, materials and goods in the area or nearby areas that serve as a meeting point or the center of cooperation and collaboration of community people; the accommodations should comply to the standards of the tourist committee that can be applied to be suitable with the context of the community; and the philosophy of sufficiency economy should be applied in administration and management of the accommodations to generate sustainable incomes for the community.