THE STUDY OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TO BUDDHIST ART TOURISM IN AMPHUR PAK THONG CHAI, NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the factors and needs of tourists, the availability of temple for Buddhist Art Tourism and to offer the guidelines for organizing the Buddhist art travel routes (Pak Thong Chai-Lamphraphloeng) in Pak Thong Chai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The population was the Thai tourists who were visited the area. The sample size was determined by the Taro Yamane formula. The sample population was 400 people and used the Questionnaire (IOC=0.67-100) by an accidental sampling. The data were analyzed by using mean and standard deviation. In addition, totally 79 abbots or monks from 10 temples who lived in Pak Thong Chai district Nakhon Ratchasima Province were selected by purposive sampling of 10 persons and used the survey form and semi-structured interview to analyze the data by summarizing the content and classify the data. The results showed that the overall opinion was at a high level. ( =4.20, S.D.=0.70) and the overall needs of tourists towards the development of Buddhist tourism at a high level ( =4.11, S.D.=0.72). From the interview, it was found that 100 percent were availability to promote the temple as a tourist attraction, historical and cultural learning resources. However, the temples should manage their landscape, cleanliness, safety, signs, and preparations of public relations information in various channels and plan to develop of tourist attractions. In addition, it should be a route of Buddhist art tourism that connects to the interesting tourist attractions with one-day trip travelling.