Perception of Cultural Tourism in Petchaburi Province along the Trails of Travel Poetry: Niras Meung Petch by Sunthonphu, a Renowned Poet of Tourists

Abstract

           The primary purpose of this research was to study the behavior and perceptions of Thai tourists travelling to cultural tourism sites in Phetchaburi Province along the route of the poetic travelogue Niras Meung Petch by Sunthonphu, a renowned poet. Four hundred Thai tourists with experience in cultural tourism travelling to the Ban Laem and Mueang districts of Phetchaburi Province responded to a questionnaire. Through a quantitative approach, the data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations.
           The behavior of tourists towards cultural tourism based on the poem "Nirat Muang Phetchaburi" by the poet Ekkasunthornphuu in Phetchaburi Province reveals that tourists travel for cultural tourism purposes more than twice a year. The predominant travel style is family-oriented, with an average stay of 2-4 days. The primary mode of transportation is by car, and the average expenditure per trip is 15,000 baht or less. The main attractions for cultural tourism are the natural beauty, and the preferred type of cultural tourism is nature-based. The interesting activities include paying respects to temples, making merit, and visiting natural tourism attractions. The most attractive tourist destinations for the sample group are natural tourism sites. The perception of tourists towards cultural tourism based on the poem "Nirat Muang Phetchaburi" by the poet Ekkasunthornphuu in Phetchaburi Province shows that tourists have the highest perception in terms of the visual image of the tourist destination. They feel relaxed while traveling in cultural tourism sites in Phetchaburi Province and gain new experiences from cultural tourism destinations in the province.