Community Participation in Sustainable Tourism at Doonlamphannon-Hunting Area,Na Chueak District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were1) to study the level of community participation in sustainable tourism management in the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area2) to analyzed the ways to promote community participation in sustainable tourism management in the DoonlamphanNon-hunting Area, Na Chueak district, Maha Sarakham province. The population and sample of the study were the people around the non-hunting zone and staff working in the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area. Research instruments were questionnaires and focus group discussions. The statistics used in this research were descriptive statistics and the hypothesis testing of inferential statistics. The results of the research showed that people in the community living around the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area contribute to sustainable tourism management of the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area. Overall, all aspects were at a low level (𝑥 = 2.16), and a guideline for promoting participation in sustainable tourism management of the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area was to provide opportunities for people in the community to participate in the managementin various fields. For example, there are meetings and focus group discussions together. Additionally,there are public relations on various projects for the community to participate in the activities of the area,and also find ways to develop conserve sustainable tourism sites with participation from all parties.The results of the hypothesis testing revealed that community participation in sustainable tourism management in the Doonlamphan Non-hunting Area, classified by gender, age, education level, and occupation. There was a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level.