Potential Development Guidelines of Phu Mak Keng Tourism Management Group, Nong Kan Sub-district, Phu Luang District, Loei Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) study the Phu Mak Keng tourism management team's environment in Nong Kan sub-district, Phu Luang district, and Loei province; and 2) study the development guidelines of the Phu Mak Keng tourism management team in Nong Kan sub-district, Phu Luang district, and Loei province. The group of 22 informants comprised the members of the tourism management team, local scholars, and representatives from the Nong Kan sub-district administration office. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and documentary reviews were the research tools and data collection methods. Content analysis was implemented for data analysis. The outcomes were as follows: 1) The Phu Mak Keng Tourism Management Team was established in 2015, aiming to create income for the community. The strengths were the leaders’ dedication and the use of community radio as a development tool. There was the connection with the Nong Bua Tourism Community Group. The members were forced to split up due to the COVID-19 epidemic; the tourism management team had not been reassembled; conditions and regulations had not been established; and there was no financial assistance either. 2) The development guidelines of the Phu Mak Keng tourism management team were: (1) government agents need to set policies and activities to develop the team concretely; (2) for management, the roles of members and regulations of the team should be clearly specified; (3) there should be plans for tourism activities; (4) for a financial budget, fund raising is needed; (5) for tourism leaders, there should be training and development for tourism communicators; (6) for marketing and public relations, it is necessary to create a variety of social media; and (7) for network creation, it is needed to enhance participation and search for new tourist attractions.