THE TRANSITION OF YAOWARAT AREA AND ROLE IN CULTURAL TOURISM AND TOURISM ADAPTATION IN THE COVID – 19 EPIDEMICS

Abstract

The purposes of this research article are 1) to study Evolution urban development that result in cultural tourism in the Yaowarat community 2) to study the evolution and adaptation of tourism business entrepreneurs in the Yaowarat community as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. This research is mixed method research using Exploratory Sequential Design, which includes both qualitative research and quantitative research methods. Methods of operation include in-depth interviews with 13 tourism business entrepreneurs in the Yaowarat community, together with Non - Participant observations and Geo-Social Mapping. In terms of quantitative research, by Non probability random sampling and purposive sampling with domestic tourists traveling to yaowarat, there were 117 voluntary respondents. The result 1) There are 3 aspects of culture that promote cultural tourism in yaowarat area: History, architecture, and way of life 2) Yaowarat has changed from a residential area it is an economic district a role in tourism from the development of the city and the change of the era. There are unique cultural resources of Chinese descent to promote cultural tourism in yaowarat area. 3) Tourism during the COVID-19 epidemic: Tourism business entrepreneurs in Yaowarat area have adapted to rely on domestic tourists instead of foreign tourists.