The participation of communities Lam Phaya floating market Nakhon Pathom province in sustainable tourism management

Abstract

This research on the participation of the community in Lamphaya Floating Market, Nakhon Pathom Province to develop sustainable tourism has the objective of studying the participation of locals in the community to manage tourism at Lamphaya Floating Market sustainably and to identify ways to encourage locals in the community to co-operate in sustainable tourism management at Lamphaya Floating Market. The research method involved the collection of both primary and secondary data. The primary data was obtained from interviews and questionnaires. The interview were in-depth interviews with structured interview questions. The researcher interviewed one participant, who identified other potential informants to interview, and the process was repeated until the interviews were completed. The qualitative data analysis involved Content Analysis, which was performed by coding interview transcripts. The quantitative method was also employed: 100 questionnaires were distributed through Accidental Random Sampling to locals living in the Lamphaya area and to local government officials (Sub district Administrative Organization) at Lamphaya Floating Market. This process produced results about how locals in the community co-operate in sustainable tourism management at Lamphaya Floating Market. All data are analysis was performed by computer program. The research found that the participation of locals in tourism management was at a high level, especially in terms of location management. Locals participate in planning, attend meetings about policy, and discuss new ideas with regard to many things. However, while locals are able to evaluate tourism facilities as good or not good, they are not directly involved in the process of planning or policy or management. Locals co-operate to manage human resources very well, but they do not participate much in setting the rules of the village. This is because the rules are flexible, and are transferred from generation to generation rather than being fixed. On the other hand, locals participate in the management of the creative local product process at a high level. Suggestions 1. The new generation should be encouraged to participate in tourism management. 2. The locals should think about the public and love the community more than seek private benefits through their own business. 3. Government should be involved in helping locals, and local government should be involved in meeting and planning about tourism management at Lamphaya Floating Market. 4. Locals and the community in the nearby area should be encouraged to recognize the importance of sustainable tourism management.