MODEL OF LONG-STAY TOURISM AT THAILAND FOR THE JAPANESE ELDERLY: A CASE STUDY OF SIRACHA DISTRICT, CHON BURI PROVINCE

Abstract

           The main objective of this study was to investigate long-stay tourism for Japan’s elderly by using the mixed method research to study the characteristics and the requirements of Japan’s elderly, and to propose a specific type of long-stay tourism for Japan’s elderly. It was found that the key factor promoting long-stay tourism in Thailand was the policy of the Japanese government and the attracting factors were the weather, the environment and the cost of living in Thailand. This study proposes the “relaxing (Kaiteki-style) long-stay tourism for Japan’s elderly in Sriracha: an elderly-friendly city”, which has the following characteristics: (1) convenience: it offers well-equipped accommodation in a safe and calm environment, high-quality food, safe physical environment, and convenience in transportation; and (2) comfortableness: it gives the feeling of staying in Japan (accommodation, food, places of activities and meetings); it has caregivers/providers who can communicate in Japanese; healthcare services are covered by the health insurance system and there are services and technology that facilitate the access of information in Japanese language. However, this proposal relies on some essential factors, namely, the provision of physical environment that is elderly-friendly, public spaces that comply with safety standards, well-equipped facilities, improvement of the visa application system as well as human resource development in private and public sectors that are involved in long-stay tourism.