Community-Based Tourism Capacity Development amidst Cultural Capital Transformation: a Case Study of Had-Salaow Village, Kaodin Subdistrict, Kao Liao District, Nakhon Sawan Province.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the cultural context of community resources in Had-Salaow Village, Kaodin Subdistrict, Nakhon Sawan Province in order to develop the potential for community-based tourism management. The research used qualitative research techniques, including interviews and field observations. The main 15 data providers consisted of government officials, business operators, community leaders, and community managers. The research findings revealed that the cultural context of Had-Salaow Village encompassed various cultural heritages, including Thai, Yuan, Mon, Thai Song Dam, Christian, and Chinese cultures, coexisting along the path of simplicity and cultural integration. In terms of developing the potential for community-based tourism management, community-driven tourism initiatives were propelled by the principles of self-sufficiency economics and the BCG Model, aiming to align cultural resources with the needs of tourists and create value for the community's culture. The community had strengths in diverse tourism attractions, including cultural and agricultural aspects, as well as the synergy between community members and local organizations. However, there were weaknesses in terms of tourism management structure and clear guidelines for tourism administration. To enhance the capacity for community-based tourism management in Had-Salaow Village, it is necessary to establish clear and equitable responsibilities for tourism stakeholders, emphasizing collaboration between the community and relevant organizations to drive tourism development in a unified direction. This can be achieved through policy-level understanding and communication, the establishment of network partnerships, and the promotion of utilizing the community's cultural resources to create economically sustainable tourism activities for community development.