POTENTIAL AND NEED ASSESSMENT OF VISITOR FOR NATURE TRAIL TONE NGA CHANG WATERFALL OF TONE NGA CHANG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN SONGKHLA PROVINCE

Abstract

Tone Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary is an eco-tourism destination that is suitable for relaxing, waterfall playing, and hiking to study nature. But nowadays, hiking activities are relatively less popular. This research has two objectives: 1) To assess the potential of the nature trail and the original nature interpretation, using the analysis of tourist attractions according to the potential of the area and according to the recreation opportunity spectrum. 2) To assess the needs for the utilization of the nature trail by using the collection of questionnaires, we collected data from 473 visitors in total. From research objective number 1, it was found that the nature trail to visit Tone Nga Chang Waterfall is classified as a semi-developed tourist attraction, and the tourism site potential in various aspects is mostly moderate. And objective number 2, it was found that the visitors were interested in hiking activities for nature study at just 24.95 percent. For visitors who have used the nature trail, the maximum average opinion level per management of nature trails in the presence of three parts, i.e., the natural attractions are a tourist attraction that focuses on students learning to study nature and get close to nature, equal to 4.51, making a trail that is suitable for learning and studying nature, equal to 4.12 and interpretive signs that help promote learning and the study of nature, equal to 4.04. For the results of this research, the responsible agency can put the research results to good use by proceeding to improve the meaning of the communication, develop facilities for convenience on the route and have public relations in order make nature hiking activities more popular and visitors learn to study nature effectively.