Development Guidelines for Creative Tourism Activities Based on the Cultural Capitals of Tai Saek Ethnic Communities

Abstract

This research objectives were 1) examine the cultural capital-based context of the Tai Saek ethnic community, 2) develop creative tourism activities, and 3) propose guidelines for the development of creative tourism activities based on the cultural capital of the Tai Saek ethnic community. An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Design was employed. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with seven key informants and focus group discussions involving ten stakeholders. Quantitative data were collected from 400 tourists. The research instruments consisted of interview guides, focus group discussion guides, and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

          The findings revealed that the Tai Saek community in At Samat Village, Nakhon Phanom Province, possesses distinctive cultural capital, including the Ong Mu ritual, the Tai Saek New Year Festival (Trut Saek), the Tai Saek language, bamboo dance performances, local cuisine, and Mekong riverside lifestyles. These cultural assets demonstrate strong potential for creative tourism development. Tourists showed a high level of interest in local food, ethnic cultural experiences, and community traditions. The creative tourism activities developed through this study consisted of three key activities: Tai Saek bamboo dance workshops, Tai Saek local food preparation activities, and Tai Saek language learning activities. In addition, a creative tourism route was designed by integrating the community’s cultural resources and heritage attractions. The study further proposed three major development guidelines: (1) the development of participatory workshop-based activities, (2) the development of creative tourism routes that systematically connect cultural assets and learning experiences, and (3) the enhancement of community-based tourism management through capacity building, cultural interpretation, marketing communication, and tourism facilities. The findings indicate that community participation and hands-on learning experiences are essential factors in fostering sustainable creative tourism development while generating economic, social, and cultural value for the community.