The Interactive Animated Infographics for Promoting Cultural Tourism Pilgrimages in the Mountainous Region of Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This article aimed to (1) gather cultural tourism resources in the mountainous region of Surat Thani province; and (2) design and develop interactive infographics to promote public engagement with the cultural tourism resources in the mountainous region of Surat Thani province. (3) Evaluate satisfaction with the use of interactive infographics for public relations and tourism promotion through online social media. The sample was made up of 400 Thai tourists. The instruments for collecting data were interactive infographics, interviews, and questionnaires. Statistics used in data analysis include mean (Mean), standard deviation (SD), and T-test (Paired samples t-test). The research results were found as follows:

1. Cultural tourism destinations in the mountainous region of Surat Thani Province span three districts: Khiri Rat Nikhom, Ban Ta Khun, and Phanom. These include Wat Tham Singkorn, Wat Tham Wang Badan, Wat Khao Phang, Wat Pa Khien Phing (Dhamma Chedi), and Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park. These places are known for their beauty, and cultural value. There are a variety of cultural promotion activities as well.


2. The design and development of interactive animated infographics consist of a combination of designs that include animation, videos, and simulations of cultural promotion activities.


3. An interactive animated infographic was used to assess the overall satisfaction of 400 tourists at a very satisfactory level ( =4.45/SD=0.70). In addition, the results of the comparison of interest in tourism and interest in making merit online before and after viewing interactive animated infographics showed that interest in tourism and interest in making merit online before and after watching the interactive animated infographic were significantly different.