Engaging the Local Community in Cultural Tourism Development: A Case Study of Tham Khao Plu Temple, Pathio District, Chumphon Province
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Abstract
Engaging the local community in the development of cultural tourism sites is of great importance. However, the challenges encountered include differences in understanding, knowledge, diverse cultural backgrounds, and individual interests, as well as reaching out to members of each household. The research question is: What form should community engagement take to develop cultural tourism sites? This study aims to examine patterns of community engagement in the development of cultural tourist attractions and problems encountered when engaging communities in the development. Tham Khao Plu Cave in Pathio District, Chumphon Province was selected for this case study. The study uses a qualitative inquiry to study a sample of 30 individuals of Tham Khao Plu Cave community including the village headmen, community leaders, committee members, an abbot, monks, seniors, and residents around Tham Khao Plu Cave. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using content analysis and thematic analysis methods. Findings indicate that patterns of engaging communities of different backgrounds require deep understanding of their thinking and culture that is exhibited through individual behaviors. It is also important to understand individual behaviors and personality to boost motivation, interest, awareness, and encourage participation in the development of cultural tourist attractions. The community is considered the cultural root, a source of local wisdom, a core of local narratives and preservation of local cultures. Moreover, it also plays a crucial role in attracting tourist interests and is key to the development of cultural tourism sites in the local community, preserving their uniqueness, art, culture, and creating compelling narratives for tourists. Therefore, this study may serve as a guide to developing sustainable methods for community engagement to foster strong foundation and further develop sustainable cultural tourist attractions.
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