Development of Health Tourism Destination of Nakhon Si Thammarat

Abstract

            This research “Development of health tourism destination of Nakhon Si Thammarat, aimed” 1) to This research “Development of health tourism destination of Nakhon Si Thammarat, aimed” 1) to study the physical characteristics of health tourism destinations in Nakhon Si Thammarat which meet the tourist’s requirement, 2) to study management and service features in the health tourism destination in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and 3) to explore the developmental approach for enhancing potential of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s health tourism destination. This research was a mixed-method research including quantitative and qualitative methods. For quantitative method, the populations were Thai and foreigner tourists which travelled in period between October–December 2017 and 460 samples were obtained. For the qualitative method, 30 managers/staffs of 24 health tourism destinations were chosen by accidental sampling. And there were about 30 health professional academic who carefully involved in health tourism, which were carefully chosen by purposive sampling. The results showed that 1) the physical characteristics of the health tourism destination of Nakhon Si Thammarat province were appropriate at a high level ( = 4.06), such as improving the landscape that facilitated relaxation, having a peaceful atmosphere and giving a relaxed feeling, without risk, providing adequate and appropriate facilities such as restaurants, bathrooms, resting places, routes buses and visits, and roads that were easily accessible. 2) The management and service characteristics of health tourism destination were appropriate in the overall at a high level ( = 4.01), such as personnel with friendly attitude and service mind, there were staff who provided information and could communicate well with tourists, and was responsible for the number of visitors and traffic methods for visitors to thoroughly view and give opinions. 3) Guidelines for the development of health tourism destinations in Nakhon Si Thammarat should focus currently on physical development and enhancing the value of health tourism destinations with mystique, richness, attractiveness, uniqueness, fitness, and friendliness of the people in the community, causing tourists to have holistic relaxation from creative activities then encouraged impression, word-of-mouth and revisit. From the results of this research, reflecting that the tourist attractions of Nakhon Si Thammarat province have the potential to be a health tourism destination.