The participation of community leaders for sustainable tourism development: A case study in Phipun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Abstract

Participation and promotion of sustainable tourism within the community can increase its competitiveness in the tourism industry in the future. Therefore, this study aims to examine the participation of community leaders in promoting sustainable tourism development. There were 16 target groups for qualitative research, including community leaders, folk scholars, senior citizens, and government officials. The data were collected through various sources, such as academic articles, research reports, agency documents, local news, participant and non-participant observations, in-depth interviews, participatory action, and evaluations. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, which revealed the following insights. (1) The participation of the community in the study, along with problem analysis, cause analysis, and solution selection, facilitated the process and development of the framework to address the community’s needs. (2) Participating in the analysis of plans and their implementation organized a learning process for the participants, where they searched for facts by recording and conducting community learning, starting with simple activities and expanding into a network of various professional groups. (3) Sharing mutual benefits and participation in evaluations was the final stage of the learning process. The study resulted in the creation of a new framework called the CNHCEA model, consisting of cultural capital, natural capital, human capital co-practice implementation of sufficiency economy philosophy, expansion of networks, and problems and successes analysis.