Saen Seap Canal Boat Service Management to Promote Boat Trips in Saen Seap canal

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study problem statements, travel behaviors, and service management of the Saen Seap canal boat to promote the boat trips in Saen Seap canal.The qualitative research was conducted by utilizing in-depth interview with experts and specialists in boat service management, among the Saen Seap canal boat owner, Marine Department and tourism industry, business owners, local people, and tourists. The results indicated that Saen Seap canal boat rides and tours were famous for only some passengers and tourists, who stayed nearby ports because of their conveniences and expenses. As such, however, some passengers and tourists were still reluctant to travel by the Saen Saeb canal boat due to their concerns in the standard of boats and ports, safety, pollution, and comfort. Krobkrua Khonsong, which has operated and developed Saen Seap canal boat for around 30 years, dedicates to fulfill the demands and travel behaviors of tourists and passengers as much as possible. In the aspect of technical management, they has been regularly maintaining and improving both boats and ports, and has also been usually inspected by the Marine Department for standard control. In the human resource management and safety aspect, they had organized classes for crew in safety and service skills frequently, installed closed-circuit television cameras, and produced media to acknowledge passengers about safety guidelines. In the quality management’s aspect, they cooperated with government for better environmental quality including water, noise, and air pollution. Finally, they also create the product and service management by allocating the surrounding area of Pratunam Port to promote local commerce, which creates job and revenue to local merchants and community, and to serve the boat trips in Saen Seap canal.