Assessment of the Cultural Attraction Potential in the Khorat Geopark: The Study Area of Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima

Abstract

The assessment of the cultural attraction potential in the Khorat geopark: The study area of Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima aimed to evaluate the quality standard of cultural attraction in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima. Qualitative research used the standard evaluation form for the quality of cultural tourist attractions, according to the criteria for evaluating the quality standards of cultural tourist attractions from the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, and Sports. Five assessors of cultural tourism specialists in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Information on cultural tourist attractions from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Cultural Office, and field data surveys. The standard evaluation of the quality of cultural attractions is based on the following three components. Element 1: Potential for tourism attractiveness (full score of 50 points). Element 2: tourism support potential, full score of 10 points, and element 3: management, full score of 40 points, total score of 100 points. Evaluation results of cultural tourism quality standards and the level of standard evaluation quality of cultural attractions. The research results evaluated the quality standards of cultural tourist attractions at a total of 20 locations in the Khorat Geopark area of Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima. The standard level of cultural tourist attractions was found to be very good (six places), good (six places), moderate (seven places), and low (one place). The standard evaluation of the quality of cultural tourist attractions received recommendations from assessors. Cultural tourist attractions with good standards should be promoted to develop the potential for tourism attractiveness, tourism support potential, and management. Research should be conducted on each component and index to obtain information about tourist attractions in areas that need to be developed and raised to a higher standard. Developing a cultural tourist destination that has the potential to serve tourists and the development of the community will offer employment and income opportunities for people in the area.