Model and Creating New Meaning for Community-Based Tourism in Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand

Abstract

This article is a part of a research study on Knowledge management in community leadership development with participation for sustainable tourism route planning, Case Study: Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand. This aims to study the model for community-based tourism and to analyze the creation of the new meaning for community-based tourism. For qualitative studies, the research tools were in-depth interviews, observations, and participatory action research. Key informants include 16 people possessing knowledge of community-based tourism. By transcription, data analysis summarizes issues and presents findings through analysis of descriptive data. In the model for community-based tourism, it was found that the community leaders and villagers work together for managing natural and cultural resources to integrate community organizations, to promote tourism such as community guides, and to manage tourist service facilities at various points in the area. Besides, it also stresses learning with tourists about the history and community for acquiring local wisdom. While creating a new meaning for community-based tourism, it was found that it is “not the process most votes", but to reason with each other, the cause and effect are used by people as wisdom and resources in the meeting. However, this method does not cause conflicts. Since it is considered to be a method different from the general one, it should be published to other organizations or agencies and should be applied for sustainable tourism.