The Development of Community-Based Tourism Management System: Maekasa Maepa Thasailuat Sub-District, Tak

Abstract

                  This research aims to review the capacity of community-based tourism (CBT) management and to design activities for the tourism route of Maekasa Maepa Thasailuat Sub-Districts.                                                     This  brings together  the  community members’ engagement in hope of  strengthening  the collaboration among members of tourism networks in the area of  Tak  Province and its vicinity. Furthermore, this can alleviate the  capacity  of  Maekasa  Maepa   Thasailuat  Sub-Districts  networks in administering  marketing  management , developing CBT administration system,and linking community-based tourism networks. This research is also considered as a tool to study and develop community-based tourism administration  system  by  building  eco-cultural tourism sites  based on people-centered approach and community-based research (CBR).                The population  and  sample of this research consisted of  1)  experts , 2) operators ,  3) general public, and 4) Thai tourists. The statistics used for data analysis were  frequency,mean,percentage,standard deviation  and content analysis.                                                                                                                       This research revealed three significant areas. The first area was cross-border  multicultural communities consisting of Tai Yai and Lanna communities.  The   second  area was fertile resources including natural resources (waterfall, hot fountain,community forest)  ; significant places (Wat Thai Wattanaram ,  beautiful architecture  of   Khok Chang Phueak , Wat  Photikhun , Budhayan  zone , Wat  Thaisamakki , and  crafted wood museum) ; facilities (airport , enterprises , accommodation, and restaura nts).   The  third  area  was   self - management  communities   including community - based tourism and ability to adapt to change.                                          To build collaboration among communities and tourism networks  in Maesod district and its vicinity, four stakeholders actively involved inc luding internal network unit  ( leading  group , entrepreneurs , and local wise men ); external supporting unit (government agency, public agency, and media) ; entrepreneurs’ unit (tourism and service business entrepre neurs); and group of people benefited by this research.                                                   As  a  result of alleviating capacity  of Maekasa Maepa Thasailuat Sub-Districts networks in administering marketing management, develo ping CBT administration system,CBT and CBR were able to create change in communities through boosting community  members’ engagement in thinking, doing, benefiting and evaluating.  This process was also benefi cial in developing substantial networking.The development of communi ties’ capacity resulted in the following identity “community-based tourism and charm of cross-border multicultural communities” Furthermore,this research disclosed factors influencing tourism linkage networks including 1) studying and analyzing area and context 2) analyzing stakeholders        3) searching for independent co-developers 4) setting clear and specific goals 5) developing networking system continuously, and 6) conveying creative communication.