Creation and Development of Local Tourism Using Tree Bank Model

Abstract

The 20-Year National Strategy determined tourism as an essential element of economic development of Thailand, focusing on diversity tourism to generate income for local communities, such as Ban Tham Sue Community in Kaeng Krachan District of Phetchaburi Province. The community is rich in natural resources and has used the tree bank model to attract tourists to do creative activities initiated by community leaders and villagers. As a result, the tree bank is becoming a learning center that gives extraordinary and impressive
experiences to tourists who are interested in various species of plants. The tree bank becomes a unique selling point of Ban Tham Sue Community and motivates the community and community leaders to figure out how to earn more income for households, such as by offering homestay and local products to preserve an original way of life of the people and resources of the community. An important finding obtained from this study is that in developing a local tourism area, it is essential to make local tourism become community-based tourism where members of the community take part in determining the tourism model and agreeing on tourism management to lead the community to sustainable development and improve the grassroots economy following the government’s policy aimed to distribute income to local households.