New Normal-based Creative Tourism Route Design of Halabala Forest Area in Yala Province

Abstract

The study aims to 1) analyze the tourist attractions' potential in the Halabala forest area; 2) design the new normal-based creative tourism activities and develop the tourism route; 3) evaluate the new normal-based creative tourism activities along the route of the Halabala forest area, in the Yala province. This study is qualitative research. The key informants included sixty community representatives or local philosophers. A focus group was used as the research method, and the data came from descriptive analysis.

The findings were as follows: 1) Strengths and weaknesses: The strengths included the Malayan Communist Village, other important historical sites, and various tourism activities such as trekking, sea of mist, and rafting while the weaknesses included a lack of participative tourism management, opportunities such as changing the behaviours of tourists who needed to learn about the identity and culture of the people in the community, and clustered tourism management without connecting with networks and nearby areas; 2) new normal-based creative tourism activities divided into two routes; on the first route, the Chulabhorn Pattana 9 Community, emphasized creative tourism of culture, welcoming activities, tracing the stronghold of the Malayan Communist Party, and learning the livelihood of the local fishery; on the second route, the Aiyerweng Community, emphasized creative tourism of nature, herbal drinks, communal activities, learning the way of life of an ethnic group, embracing the experience of frugal living, and learning the livelihood of frugal living; 3) the evaluation of innovative tourism activities; recommendations for trash management, safety, and the enhancement of necessary infrastructure such as roads, route signs, toilets, security units, and call signs. It might be because both communities have outstanding potential, including natural and cultural tourist attractions. Hence, it becomes the highlight to make an impression and satisfy the tourists.