Factors Influencing Volunteer Tourism in Thailand : A Case Study of Songkhla Province
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Abstract
This study aims to explore factors influencing foreign tourists to participate in volunteer tourism in Thailand. In addition, this study would like to discover an approach for developing volunteer tourism in Thailand. As this research is exploratory in nature, the qualitative approach was applied. Twenty-five participants were recruited in Songkhla province and an in-depth interview was the main method for data collection. The results revealed that the majority of volunteer tourists were female at the age of between the ages of 21 and 30 years old. Most of them were single and hold a bachelor’s degree. Most of the volunteer tourists in this study had never visited Thailand. The factors influencing this group of people to become volunteer tourists in Thailand were admiration for Thai culture, local Thai people in different host communities, the Thai way of life, beautiful nature, and well-developed tourist attractions and tourism services. This study suggested that Thai culture and wisdom should be communicated to potential volunteer tourists to attract this group of people to visit Thailand. Furthermore, well managed and controlled volunteer activities were essential for long-term success.
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References
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