Community-Based Tourism in New Normal Way during the COVID-19 Crisis: A Case of Nong Ha Community, Huai Thap Than District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

The research aimed 1) to study the tourism potential of the Nongha community in
Huaythapthan district of Sisaket province, 2) to investigate the impacts on tourism thanks to
the Cavid-19 pandemic and the community’s needs and 3) to propose the guidelines for
the community-based tourism development. Key informants were community leaders, the
religious leaders and the educational institution leaders. The research instruments were a
semi-structured interview and a group discussion. The research findings were as follows.
1) The communities’ tourism potential was in accordance with ‘the cultural tourism’. 2) As
regards the impacts on tourism, it was found that from March to August, 2020, the
community residents could not provide the service for tourists and could not earn their
incomes; as a result, they had to find the alternative to earn their incomes, for example
producing the community identity products. 3) Concerning the community-based tourism
development, the locals viewed that the standard of the hygienic safety was appropriate.
The three-pronged structure was created: operators, service providers and service recipients.
The safety measures were undertaken as follows: 1) receiving tourists: the screening spot
was set up to check the temperature of all comers the process involved the village
volunteers; 2) servicing the tourists: the safety measures were to be strictly complied and 3)
checking out: the service was to be thoroughly assessed. The model in question was a new
standard which could be used by other communities in the province.