A MODEL OF KNOWLEDGE ENHANCING OF THE YOUTHS IN SUKHOTHAI AND KAMPHAENG PHET PROVINCES BY MULTI-PARTY PARTICIPATION PROCESS TO PROMOTE WORLD HERITAGE TOURISM OF SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL TOWN AND SURROUNDING TOWNS

Abstract

New instructional innovations for learning management can play an important role in mobilizing the dynamics of tourism management. The purposes of this study were (1) to assess knowledge concerning tourism of Sukhothai historical town and surrounding towns of youths in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet provinces; (2) to explore the needs for enhancement of tourism-oriented knowledge of the youths in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet provinces in order to promote tourism of Sukhothai historical town and surrounding towns; and (3) to study a model of knowledge enhancement for youths in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet provinces by multi-party participation process in order to promote tourism of Sukhothai historical town and surrounding towns. This study is a mixed-method research involving quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Data were collected via the use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion. Research informants included 10 officials from work agencies dealing with world heritage tourism management, and 400 youths in district areas of Sukhothai old town, Si Satchanalai old town, and Kamphaeng Phet old town. Research findings showed that the majority (97.00 %) of youth informants had scores on tourism-oriented knowledge of 60 – 100 points. Their overall attitude toward tourism was at the agreeable level (mean = 4.02). They had the need for participating in knowledge enhancement activities at the moderate level (mean = 3.38). They expressed their needs for participating in knowledge enhancement activities in the topic of creating unity in the community in order to enhance cooperation for development of tourism. They would like to partake in tourism development activities presented to them via lectures concerning knowledge, concepts and experiences of the resource persons. The schools should be used as the training place. The number of trainees should not exceed 50 persons, and the training should take three days. The knowledge enhancement model should comprise three steps, namely, step 1: a survey of the need for enhancing tourism-oriented knowledge of the youths; step 2: the development of knowledge enhancement development process for youths; and step 3: the development of tourism knowledge enhancement activities on a continuing basis.