Participatory Action Research for Sustainable Ecotourism Development by the cooperation between the community and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University

Abstract

This research is a participatory action research for sustainable ecotourism development collaborated by the community and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate the effectiveness of tourism management by collaboration between various communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University; 2) to establish a model for the sustainable and systematic tourism management through collaboration between the communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. A quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed for collecting data, using questionnaires and structured interviews. The result of the research was found that: (1) The overall level of effectiveness of sustainable tourism development by collaboration between communities and Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University was at a moderate level ( = 3.25) (2) Development of a sustainable ecotourism through collaboration between the communities and the university is driven by the policy called Implementation Guideline of strategic process, which begins with the input of Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University as an unit which responsible the higher education, institute in providing a support through the research process and the process of academic service to the society. The process of development of the sustainable ecotourism must be made by networking and participation of  the community. In addition, Tart Ton National Park is considered as an important ecotourism management unit to promote human resources, guidance, materials and personnel to work with the community. Also, the problems of sustainable ecotourism development should be taken into consideration by the cooperation between the community and the university.