A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE CULTURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUDDHISM OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN LOEI PROVINCE

Abstract

 This research aims to: 1) To study the policy and strategy of cultural tourism development of local administrative organizations in Loei province. 2) To analyze sustainable tourism strategies of local government organizations in Loei Province. 3) To present a strategy for sustainable cultural tourism development in accordance with the guidelines of Buddhism in local administrative organizations in Loei Province.

              Qualitative research methodology was used to collect data from relevant documents and research, to conduct document research methodology, and to collect data by in-depth interviews from 26 key informants. The research area used in this study was Loei Provincial Administrative Organization, Loei Municipality, Na-O Subdistrict, Dan Sai District Municipality, Chiangkhan Municipality, A-He District Municipality and Nasao District Municipality. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, which was to analyze the content, to synthesize the information into an analytical process and propose a strategy for sustainable cultural tourism development in accordance with the Buddhism of local administrative organizations in Loei Province and group discussion is conducted by 12 monks per person to confirm the integrity of the data.

              The research findings were as follows:

1. Local government in Loei Province has a tourism policy and strategy, however it is not defined as a specific cultural tourism strategy, as the area of ​​responsibility of many local governments has natural attractions. Resulting in the policy and strategy mentioned in tourism as a whole covering the field of both natural and cultural tourism, or inserted in the policy and strategy of tourism and sports. 
2. Loei Province has a strength in the cultural tourism resources, which is unique and outstanding to the local area and gained the support or promotion of cultural tourism from concerned government agencies including budget support, public relations, and academia. In addition, the community has a harmonious social and cultural pattern. Therefore, it is possible to develop sustainable cultural tourism by adopting the principles of Buddhism in order to develop sustainable cultural tourism.
3. Local government organizations in Loei Province can apply the "Sappaya 7 (7 Sustainable)" in Buddhist philosophy to enhance the tourism strategy in order to promote sustainable cultural tourism. The strategy consists of 1) Strategies for developing cultural attractions. 2) Strategic development of transport routes. 3) A strategy for creating local participation in cultural tourism development. 4) Strategies for developing food quality and standards for cultural tourism. 5) Strategies for developing food quality and standards for cultural tourism. 6) Strategies to improve the landscape and manage tourism to suit the weather. 7) Strategies for public relations and development of services to tourists. All this will be considered as a strategy for sustainable cultural tourism development in accordance with the Buddhism of the local administrative organization in Loei, which is suitable for local society and culture.