Ecotourism management approach by local community potential : a case study of Kiriwong community, Kamlon sub-district, Lan Saka district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province
Abstract:
This research has its objectives to study the potential level of people in Kiriwong Community in ecotourism management, factors affecting people's potential in managing ecotourism, and approach in ecotourism management of the community. Data collection employed surveying sampled 303 household representatives and 5 staff from Special Area Development Management Organization for Sustainable Tourism (Public Organization) together with in-depth interviewing 6 key informants who live in the community. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics - such as frequency distribution, percentage, means, standard deviation, maximum and minimum - and inferential statistics, such as regression analysis to analyze the linear relationship between dependent and independent variables. Qualitative data from the in-depth interview were analyzed using Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat Analysis (SWOT Analysis) and Threat-Opportunity-Weakness-Strength Matrix (TOWS Matrix) to set up an ecotourism management approach for the community. The research found that the studied sample had its potential in managing ecotourism at a moderate level. Factors affecting the potential of people in ecotourism management included benefit gain from ecotourism activities, education years, access to ecotourism-related information, environmental group membership, settlement years, and average monthly income. These factors could predict the potential of people in ecotourism management with statistical significance at 0.05 level. The study of the ecotourism management approach for the community found that the operational guidelines that should be followed included 1. ecotourism enhancement project, 2. project to promote the sustainability of occupation in the community, 3. a project to promote personnel potential in the community and cultivate consciousness, and 4. responsible tourist awareness program.