DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE NATURAL TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF SATUN GEOPARK

Abstract

          The objectives of this research were: 1) to study public and private sectors participation in the management of sustainable natural tourism of Satun Geopark, 2) to study the management of sustainable natural tourism of Satun Geopark, and 3) to suggest guidelines for the development of public and private sectors participation in the management of sustainable natural tourism of Satun Geopark. This were a qualitative research and data was collected through in - depth interviews. The sample consisted of 27people, including executives and representatives of public, private, comma and civil society then brought leading up to the systematic, rational conclusion and reference theories to organize the data. The results indicated that: 1) the participation of public and private mechanisms, integration of all sectors to achieve consistency in the information exchange, the determination of management plans, decision-making, implementation and evaluation of sustainable natural tourism management planning of Satun Geopark, 2) the management of sustainable natural tourism of Satun Geopark has some interesting findings as follows: 1) reconstruction and development of tourism, 2) promoting responsible management of tourist attractions, 3) promotion of tourism that facilitates the learning process, 4) strengthening the participation process of people and local communities, and 5) promotion, public relations, marketing, creation of activities and patterns of tourism, and 3) guidelines for development participation through the joint integration of the public, private and civil society along with a more concrete focus on enabling all sectors to participate in sustainable natural tourism management of Satun Geopark.