Community-Based Tourism Management for the Conservation of Natural Resources within the Areas of Reservoir under the Royal Initiative at Ban Phu Din, Mae Hor Phra Sub-district Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this article were 1) to develop the potential of tourism activities and community-based tourism services and 2) to create community-based tourism routes. This research was mixed-method research. The tools used for data collection included community-based tourism management tools, SWOT Analysis, Alternative Strategy Formation, Improvement and assessment of appropriate alternative strategies (TOWS MATRIX), and participatory action research (PAR). Finally, the SPSS program was used to analyze the data, including mathematical statistics. The results of this research showed that: in terms of the development potential of tourism activities and community-based tourism services to conserve resources in the reservoir area of Royal Initiative Project Ban Phu Din, there were important community development potential processes such as transfer of knowledge, planning, and meeting, activity design and tourism programs, experimental of pilot activities, and participation and development. A new tourist route was established, so-called the Phu Din Reservoir-Mae Ho Phra Reservoir route. There were learning activities on resources and water conservation, which were: (1) Learning activities at Huai Phu Din Reservoir learning center; (2) Trekking activities to study nature trails and learn about resources and water conservation; (3) Establishment of a learning center on agriculture and medicinal plants; (4) Establishment of a natural honey beekeeping learning center and (5) Homestay and camping activities. The satisfaction result of tourists towards the activities and community-based tourism programs at overall was at a high level.