The Strategies for the Development of the Cultural Tourism Potentiality in Sisaket Province

Abstract

          The research aimed to study the strategic development of the cultural tourism potentiality in Sisaket province. The subjects used in the study were 245 residents who lived in the cultural tourism area in Sisaket province. The targets in the study were 74 subjects and 24 experts who were knowledgeable and experienced in tourism.  The research instruments were the survey forms for the cultural tourism potential, a focus group format, the satisfaction of establishing a center for learning cultural and an evaluation of suitability and possibility format for the strategies. Statistics used in the quantitative data analysis, was percentage, mean, standard deviation, data analysis and qualitative content analysis.

          The research findings were as follows.

          The strategies constructed by the researcher consisted of 5 strategies, 25 tactics, 90 measures and 86 indicators. Five strategies were used in the following: Strategy one: Sisaket was elevated as the center for cultural tourism diversity in the southern part of Isan or Northeastern Thailand which consisted of the cultural tourism of the province and the Southern Isan promotion and development of the cultural tourism management systems. Strategy two: the provincial cultural tourism was promoted to be the economic creation to increase the values to the communities and to promote the use of cognitive cultural and economic value. Strategy three: supportive factors for cultural tourism were to be developed that consisted of planning and developing logistics, infrastructure, measures and facilities in the tourist-oriented culture to global standards and accelerate the development of infrastructure and facilities for tourism. Strategy four: factors for the cultural tourism were created to promote the cultural tourism activities of the province. Creating the identity of ancient sites in each district. To develop and promote the activities that offer exotic travel destinations, activities, traditions and lifestyles. Strategy five: participation should be encouraged from the state and private sectors, communities and networks to develop the cultural tourism potential based on social and cultural capitals that consisted of building the community in understanding the importance of the cultural capitals. Development of network and monitoring the impact of cultural tourism management. The results of the evaluation showed that the overall strategies were found to be suitable at the highest level and possible at a high level.