Innovation to Connect Historical Tourism Sites, Culture, and Relations Between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam within the Central Mekong Context

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to: 1. Study the context of tourism sites, 2. Create tourism routes, and 3. Develop an innovative for public relations on historical tourism sites, culture and relations between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam within the context of the central Mekong area. The study was applied integrated research and mixed method research approaches. The research tools were: 1. An in-depth interview, 2. A questionnaire to assess the suitability of the innovative media for experts, 3. A satisfaction questionnaire towards innovative media for tourists, 4. In-depth group discussion, and 5. A research observation form and a research notebook. The sample groups in this research consisted of: 1. Stakeholders who involved in the management of historical, cultural and relations areas of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam relations and experts in innovative media, 30 people in total. They were selected by using a simple sampling method; and 2. 100 tourists, who traveled to Nakhon Phanom province, were selected by using accidental selection. Collected data was analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, and content analysis methods. The research results were found as follows: 1. Context related to the history, culture, and relations between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam that can be used as a tourist route, was including Ho Chi Minh historical movement sites and memorial areas of the middle Mekong migration. 2. Creating a tourism route can be divided into 2 routes: 2.1 A domestic route consisted of the President Ho Chi Minh Museum, Nakhon Phanom Ho Chi Minh Memorial, Uncle Ho Chi Minh's House, Najok Homestay, and Vietnam Memorial Clock Tower. 2.2 An international tourist route consisted of President Ho Chi Minh Museum, Nakhon Phanom Ho Chi Minh Memorial, Uncle Ho Chi Minh's House, Vietnam Memorial Clock Tower, Najok Homestay, Thakhek Old Town, and the Memorial of the President Ho Chi Minh, Khammouane District. 3. Result of tourism publicity innovation was found that it had the consistency values in content, design, presentation technique, and interactions aspects between 0.78-1.00. Innovation quality assessment of the publicity brochure was at the highest level. Innovation quality assessment of the publicity poster was at a high level. Moreover, the satisfaction of tourists towards the innovation medias, brochure and poster, were of the highest level.