Creative Tourism Development based on Local Ways of Life and Local Culture: A Case Study of Hua Hin, Prajuab-Kirikhan, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to explore the demands of tourists on creative tourism, to analyse potential of local communities in line with the tourists’demands, and to provide a guideline for the development of creative tourism that meets the needs of tourists and the potential of local communities. The research was conducted quantitatively to survey the demands of tourists. The community meetings and interviews techniques were adopted to collect data for the analysis of the potential of local communities. In addition, the pilot trip was conducted to evaluate and propose a guideline for creative tourism development. It was found that most tourists wanted to participate in creative tourism in Hua Hin. Local communities had the potential to develop creative tourism to meet the needs of tourists. Tourism activities in each community were both similar and different. Moreover, the key factors in the development of creative tourism were desirable tourism attractions and activities, the community benefits gained from tourism, and the impacts of tourism on the community.