Guideline for the Development of Sustainable Integrated Creative Tourism Potential in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research article are as follows: 1) To examine tourism resources in Suphanburi Province. 2) To analyze the internal and external environment for sustainable tourism development. 3) To explore the development of potential creative tourism in Suphanburi Province. This qualitative based research utilized several research tools, including community study items, tourism resource assessment questionnaires, in-depth interviews, participant observations, and focus group discussions. A total of 32 key informants participated in the study, including 8 government representatives, 8 private sector representatives, 8 community representatives, and 8 Thai tourists. The researchers analyzed the interview data through content analysis, prioritization, content grouping, as well as categorization and summarization of key issues.

The research findings indicate that: The tourism resources in Suphanburi Province are characterized by outstanding natural resources, such as Phuttha yod fa National Park, cultural resources like Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Pa Laylai), religious resources including mass and monastic ceremonies at Wat Pa Laylai, activity-based resources like studying the way of life of ethnic groups, and service resources such as accommodation, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The analysis of the internal and external environment of Suphanburi Province identified its strengths, such as its central location and the presence of the Tha Chin River. However, weaknesses include the lack of a sustainable integrated strategic plan for creative tourism development in Suphanburi. Opportunities lie in the potential to develop organic agriculture and chemical-free global food tourism for health-conscious travelers. Challenges include global economic crises and domestic economic uncertainties. The tourism resource potential of Suphanburi Province, coupled with sustainable resource management, has the potential to formulate strategic plans for long-term and internationally recognized tourism development. There is also potential for active stakeholder participation in tourism development.