A Model for Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Management: A Case study of Mahasawad Canal Community, Phuttamonton District, Nakhonpathom Province

Abstract

          The research aimed to examine a model for sustainable community-based tourism management by studying from a case of Mahasawad Canal Community. It adopted a qualitative research methodology. Data were gathered from 7 key informants including local residents in Mahasawad Canal community whose duties involved tourism management in the community, and those who had interactions with tourists. They were selected by purposive sampling and snowball sampling. A combination of semi-structured interviews and participant observation was utilized to collect the data. The data were then analyzed with thematic analysis. The research findings revealed that keys to success and mainobstacles for community-based tourism management of Mahasawad Canal can be identified based on the four main elements of community-based tourism management which included:  (1) in terms of natural and cultural resources, the community utilized existing natural resources  effectively and created an awareness of the value of local ways of life of the community among tourists by using approaches that would not have an impact of such ways of life.  (2) as for a local organization in charge of tourism management, it was found that two main factors including local residents feeling that they were part of the community and working together harmoniously to develop tourism in their community served as a key to success. No obstable and problem in this issue was found., the succes (3) in terms of the management, unwillingness and poor cooperation from local people was found at the beginning stage of development; and 4) in terms of learning activities, the community had developed learning activites based on its existing resources and environment; and such activities could be considered as ‘creative tourism activities’ because they provided opportunities for touriststs to actively participate and had firsthand experiences.