Effectiveness of tourism management by cooperation between Community and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University

Abstract

This research is a participatory Action Research for Sustainable Ecotourism Development Collaborated by the community and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. The purposes of this study were 1) to investigate the effectiveness of tourism management by collaboration between the communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University; 2) to establish a model for the sustainable and systematic tourism management through collaboration between the communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed for collecting data, using questionnaires and structured interviews. The result of the research was found that:

1) The overall level of effectiveness of sustainable tourism development by collaboration between communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University was at a moderate level ( = 3.25). Regarding different aspects, the two levels of high significance were the conservation of resources ( = 3.59) and the reduction of consumption and use of unnecessary resources including the reduction of waste ( = 3.45). The statistical significance of the average to the least is as follows: The treatment and promotion of diversity of nature, society and culture ( = 3.40) ecotourism development coordination ( = 3.38) expansion of local economic base ( = 3.25) participation by local ecotourism development network ( = 3.22) meeting with stakeholders ( = 3.21) Personnel Development ( = 3.41) the provision of information and ecotourism information service ( = 2.97) and evaluation and checking ( = 2.95), respectively. 2) Development of a sustainable ecotourism through collaboration between the communities and the university is driven by policy and the so called implementation of strategic process, which begins with the input of Chulalongkorn Rajabhat University as an unit responsible for higher education, providing a support through the research process and the process of academic service to the society.  The process of development of the sustainable ecotourism must be made by networking and participation of the community.  Tartton National Park is considered as an important ecotourism management unit to promote human resources and guide materials and personnel to work with the community. In addition, the problem of sustainable ecotourism development should be taken into consideration by the cooperation between the community and the university. The solution of problems and  key issues is undertaken to accelerate the creation of an organization to make people more readily to participate and to systematize as well as to formulate the overall mission of the national park. Immediate Improvement of the performance of tourism management system development is to create a public participation courses and training manuals to people. To guide the community and Rajabhat Chaiyaphum University to develop a common tourism management system brings knowledge about the conservation and development of ecotourism to the public as well as stimulate new innovation in the organization to develop the potentiality and to compete in the global arena.  Just for the benefit of the people, the desirable outcome of the development of a sustainable ecotourism management system, with the cooperation of the community with the university aims toward the well - being of people as the goal of government organizations and a measure of success in the country.