Sustainable Community Based Tourism Management : A Case Study of Ban Suennuea Bannonkom, Phuphaman, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

         The purpose of this research was threefold:1.) to study the participation of the community members in the community’s tourism management 2.) to study both positive and negative impacts caused by the community’s tourism management, and 3.) to study the tourism lifecycle in Bansuennuea using qualitative method via deep interviews and quantitative method via questionnaire.

          The results show that the participation of the community members is relatively high. Regarding the cooperation of organizations involved with tourism, these organizations play a role in the management of tourism inthe community from the very beginning by evaluatingthe potential of developing the village into a tourism attraction. The procedure beganwith the distribution of questionnaire and the voting in a favor of transforming the village. The funds were provided and a committee was formed. There are developments of local products, signs to assist tourists, landscaping, and the development of tourism in the village. With regards to the impact of tourism, Bansuennuea was affected economically, socially, culturally, in nature, and environmentally in the high degree. The tourism business investment is considered low. The negative impacts are also considered low. For example, one social factor is that some conflicts are formed between community members. In short, participatory of Bansuennuea inthe life cycle of the tourism is still at its developmental stages. The process is based on the local culture and the goal of sustainable tourism, which aimed to create overall income equality. There should be improved cooperation between the leader of the community and the head of Chaleang Thong Temple. These actions will help improve the community’s weak point so that it can match with Bansuennuea’s context.