THE POTENTIAL OF COMMUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING CREATIVE TOURISM IN UTHAI THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) explore the cultural capital and local wisdom of communities in Uthai Thani Province, 2) assess the potential of communities in developing creative tourism destinations in Uthai Thani Province, and 3) propose guidelines for the development of creative tourism in Uthai Thani Province. The researcher used a mixed-methods approach through community potential assessments and semi-structured interviews. The key informants were stakeholders involved in tourism, government agencies, and the private sector. Data analysis was achieved from concepts, theories, documents, academic articles, and research related to tourism.

The research results found that the potential of tourist attractions for the development of creative tourism involved three main tourist attractions. Tourist attractions can be classified into two groups according to their potential level, comprising tourist attractions with very high potential (one location), namely Ban Tha Pho, Nong Kha Yang District, and tourist attractions with high potential (two locations), namely Ban Sa Nam, Ban Rai District, and Ban Rong Nam Khaeng, Mueang District.

This study presents creative tourism activities and basic models for creative tourism development by considering the strengths of tourist attractions and the potential of tourist attractions to be developed into creative tourism destinations in the future, including tourism networks in the Uthai Thani Province area. Further, three activities exist that can create different creative travel experiences: 1) learning the Sakae Krang way through the geographic indications of Ban Rong Nam Khaeng, Mueang District; 2) learning about folk songs, local arts, and culture in Ban Tha Pho, Nong Kha Yang District, and 3) learning the way of life among the Lao Khrang ethnic group through food and handicrafts in Ban Sa Nam, Ban Rai District.