The Local Identity Airport can Lead to Sustainability

Abstract

This article aims to encourage collaboration between public and private tourism-related agencies in developing airports within community areas to integrate local identity into their operations, aligning with the sustainable tourism model. The study employs processes of analysis, synthesis, and issue extraction based on secondary data from domestic and international documents, analyses, literature, and relevant theories. The findings indicate that airports, as a fast and convenient air transport service industry, play a vital role in promoting national economic growth. Airports serve as gateways that introduce and convey local identity to travelers, creating a positive first impression and preserving cultural values. The development of airports with a focus on local identity for sustainable tourism involves three key aspects: 1) the role of airports in tourism, 2) tourism and local identity, and 3) airports and national economic development. The results provide important academic recommendations for enhancing the potential and development of commercial airports to retain local identity, meet the needs of sustainable community tourism, and align with the context of community identity tourism development. Furthermore, the findings offer guidance for the sustainable development of commercial airports and support Thailand's goal of becoming an ASEAN aviation hub.