People Participation in Local Tourism Management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were as follows: 1) to study public participation in local tourism management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province; 2) to compare the opinions of the people towards the participation of people in local tourism management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province classified by personal factors; 3) to study the problems, obstacles, and suggestions for public participation in local tourism management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province. This was mixed research between quantitative research and qualitative research. Research tools for quantitative research were consisted of questionnaire developed by the researcher to study public participation in local tourism management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province. There were 399 samples. Multistage sampling method was used. A reliability of quantitative  questionnaire equal to 0.916. While the qualitative research has been using interview methods with key informants; the interviews were conducted with 30 informants using purposive sampling method. The informants were specified by executives, personnel, community leaders, representatives, professional groups and people and academics.

The results of this research were revealed as follows:

         1) public participation in local tourism management in in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province in aspect of operations (= 3.46, SD = 0.98); the monitoring and evaluation was at the lowest level (= 3.12, SD = 0.84).

         2) Comparison of public opinion on public participation in local tourism management in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province classified by personal factors; it was found that overall different genders was not different. People with different age, status educational, occupations, and different incomes in general that had different opinions with the statistically significance were at the 0.05 level

         3) Problems and obstacles of public participation in local tourism management in in Prakhonchai District, Buriram Province it was found that the most found were the lack of sufficient budget from the government to support, lack of continuous publicity, lack understanding in local tourism management lacked the maintenance of tourist attractions causing deterioration.

         Suggestions ; the state with sufficient budget allocation; continuous public relations, cultivated awareness, raising awareness in the community to have loving and helping to maintain local tourist attractions was required. Community leaders must pay attention and the operation, should be explained to the public. There were activities for people to participate and receive benefits from local tourism management respectively.