The Development of Creative Cultural Tourism Activities for Ban Kwangtayaim Community at Mueang District, Yasothon Province

Abstract

The objectives of this project are as follows: 1) to investigate
the potential of Ban Kwangtayaim community at Mueang district,
Yasothon province as a site of cultural tourism; 2) to study the needs
of tourists and tour operators on creative cultural tourism activities
held by Ban Kwangtayaim community at Mueang district, Yasothon
province; and 3) to suggest creative cultural tourism activities for Ban
Kwangtayaim community at Mueang district, Yasothon province. The
qualitative research was employed in which the researcher conducted
in-depth interviews and focus group to collect data on the population,
in this case Ban Kwangtayaim community, tourists, and tour operators.
Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data.
The research results show that: 1) The Ban Kwangtayaim
community at Mueang district, Yasothon province has sufficient
potential of cultural tourism, but its accommodation is not adequate.
2) The expectation of tourists and tourism operators about creative
cultural tourism activities of Ban Kwangtayaim community at Mueang
district, Yasothon province is that some creative cultural tourist
activities of Ban Kwangtayaim community, such as Rocket Festival,
Reception Festival, Organic Pickling Fish Festival, Traditional Sweets
Activity, Handicraft Activity, Herbal Garden Activity can provide a firsthand
learning experience for tourists. However this activity lacks unique
cultural identity and the process of creative tourism between tourists
and the community. And, 3) the Ban Kwangtayaim community can
design creative cultural activities as follows: (1) develop creative
activities that reflect more unique cultural identity and that allow
tourists to participate in interactive learning processes; (2) improve the
accessibility for tourists; (3) create a marketing plan; (4) develop
souvenir products that reflect the identity of the community; and
(5) improve community-based personnel to have tourism skills.