Development in Community-based ‘New Theory’ Agro-tourism Management: A Case Study in Sao Hai District, Saraburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this action research were to 1) evaluate the potential of agricultural technology dissemination stations in Sao Hai district, Saraburi province to be New Theory agro-tourism attractions, 2) study and enhance the potential of the local people in agro-tourism management, 3) develop agro-tourism routes and operate experimental New Theory agro-tourism within the community, and 4) provide guidelines to develop community-based New Theory agro-tourism. The data were collected by using evaluation forms, observation forms and questionnaires from 79 samples that were agriculturists, community leaders, governmental officers, private agencies and local people who were interested in agro-tourism management. The findings indicated that 1) the agricultural technology dissemination stations in Sao Hai district had a high potential to be New Theory agro-tourism attractions because of their beautiful natural scenery and the agriculturists concrete knowledge of New Theory, 2) the potential of local people in tourism management that derived from participation in training workshops and operating experimental tourism by themselves, and 3) the ability to develop agro-tourism routes according to the local people’s needs and the community social capital that resulted from collaborative thinking and involvement in problem solving processes were important guidelines to make community-based New Theory agro-tourism in Sao Hai district, Saraburi province succeed.