The Potential Development of OTOP Nawatwithi Tourism Communities Managements of the Large Agricultural Land Plot Choke Anan Mango Farmers Group in Sri Nakorn District of Sukhothai Province

Abstract

The purposes of this study were: 1) to study the context of community tourism management of the OTOP Nawatwithi, the large agricultural land plot Choke Anan mango farmers group in Sri Nakorn District of Sukhothai Province, 2) to study its potential in managing the community tourism, 3) to analyze its potential in managing the community tourism, and 4) to develop strategies for the community tourism management for this community. This research was qualitative. The study was conducted in a form of an interview by organizing focus groups with community leaders and representatives from government agencies. The data were collected from a group of committee consisting of 10 farmers. The results of the study revealed that 1) the large Chokanan mango plot farmer group is an important tourism community of Sukhothai province, which grows most Chokanan mangoes in Thailand. 2) The community is interesting in terms of agriculture because it is the model community that won an award for outstanding large plots at the national level. 3) It has the potential to manage and develop tourism. Also, it is a tourist attraction. According to the agricultural context, the local identity of the community is determined by the application of local wisdom. Technology and innovation are used to improve production efficiency, resulting in the quality of agricultural products and generating income for the community by linking it with tourism as a learning center that disseminates knowledge that promotes learning and experiences in agriculture to tourists, comprising planting using the method of planting in proximity andusing drones in agriculture: innovative processes for sorting mangoes, etc. 4) An important strategy as a guideline for developing the tourism management potential of the community is that there should be a plan for the development of tourist attractions to be linked with operations in every component of community tourism byy integrating with government and private sector agencies involved in driving the strategy to achieve development in tourism in the community for sustainability.