Guidelines Community-Based Tourism Development for Leam Sak Tourism Community, Ao-Leuk District, Krabi

Abstract

Background and Aims: Community-based tourism is a type of tourism that centers around the community's management of its tourism activities. The heart of community-based tourism lies in the participation of the community, based on the strength of the community itself, which is a crucial factor in the development of community tourism. This research aimed to study tourism potentiality and guidelines for Community-based tourism development in the Laem Sak Tourism-based Community, Ao Luek District, Krabi Province.

Methodology: The study employed quantitative research methods, with a sample of 400 Thai and foreign tourists visiting the Laem Sak Tourism-based Community. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. There are also partners involved in tourism, divided into 4 groups: the local government sector, the private sector, the civil society sector, and the public sector, totaling 47 people, using a focus group as a tool for collecting data. The data was then used to find guidelines for the development of Community-based tourism in the Laem Sak Tourism Community, Ao Luek District, Krabi Province.

Results: The findings revealed that the tourism potential of the Laem Sak Tourism-based Community, Ao Luek District, Krabi Province, in the aspects of accessibility, facilities, accommodation, attractions, and activities was at its high level. The proposed development approaches for Community-based tourism included: enhancing cultural capital to promote community-based tourism, elevating local history to create added value for community-based tourism, promoting community-based ecotourism development, developing marketing communications to promote community tourism, and advancing community-based tourism destinations towards sustainability.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that Guidelines for Community-based tourism development for Leam Sak Tourism Community, Ao-Leuk District, Krabi, aside from community-based tourism development, also need to promote community-based ecotourism development, enhancing cultural capital and local history, tourism destination development, and marketing communications. These development approaches will lead to the promotion of community-based tourism, creating added value and leading to long-term sustainability.