Potential Buddhist Tourism Development Strategy in Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

Research on strategies for developing the potential of Buddhist tourist attractions in Chiang Rai Province aims to study the context and environment of Buddhist tourist attractions under the designation as well as leading to the creation of strategies and guidelines for promoting Buddhist tourism in Chiang Rai Province. This study is a mixed-method research. The population studied includes knowledgeable individuals, community philosophers, artists, monks, senior monks, and masters of Buddhist ceremonies. The snowball technique is used to select
3 informants from every 19 Buddhist attractions. There are a total of 57 informants. The target group consists of 10 people with cultural, religious, and tourism expertise. The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire to study the context and environment of Buddhist tourist attractions and an interview form to determine formats, create strategies, and formulate guidelines for promoting Buddhist tourism in Chiang Rai Province. The results of the study found that the context and surroundings of the temples are beautiful, the architecture is outstanding in art and culture, there are convenient tourist routes and transportation, there are many interesting religious and cultural tourist attractions, and there is efficient management conducive to tourism and maintaining cleanliness. Tourism programs can be divided into 1)tourist attractions with contemporary Buddhist art, 2)tourist attractions with historical and sacred objects, 3)tourist attractions based on festivals, traditions, and religious ceremonies, and 4) tourist attractions for worshiping Buddhist monks (belief and faith). The results of the study to create the strategy include 1)developing the potential of tourist attractions and creative religious and cultural activities, 2)developing personnel in tourist destinations to know to become a good host, 3)promoting public relations of the tourist destinations. tourism through all media channels, 4)integrating work with all sectors in participatory management, and 5)encouraging the community sector to participate in creating added value in the creative economy. Suggestions for developing the potential of Buddhist tourist attractions in Chiang Rai Province are that awareness should be created for tourist attractions, such as making signs, posters, or websites. This includes developing adequate and safe parking spaces. Cultural agencies should develop and promote the preparation of temples to become Buddhist tourist attractions. Tourism agencies should promote temples as Buddhist tourist attractions in Chiang Rai Province.