Creative Tourism Behavior of Thai Tourists in Chainat, Sing Buri, and Lopburi Province -

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) study creative tourism behavior of Thai tourists; (2) study travelling behavior and information retrieval of Thai tourists; (3) study creative tourism activities in which Thais were interested and repeat visits; and (4) synthetize target creative tourists, communication guidelines for target creative tourists, and development guidelines for creative tourism attractions and activities in Chinat, Sing Buri and Lopburi provinces. Mixed methods research was applied. Five hundred Thai tourists who travelled to Chinat, Sing Buri, and Lopburi provinces were sampled as research population. Random sampling and questionnaire was applied for quantitative method. Average, t-test, and ANOVA were utilized for quantitative data analysis. Three tour operator representatives who launched either community-based tourism or creative tourism were also sampled as research population by purposive sampling. Research tool was semi-structured form. Micro typological and inductive techniques were applied for qualitative data analysis.

The results revealed that Thai tourists in Chainat, Sing Buri, and Lopburi Province in all ages obtained obvious creative tourism behavior, particularly those who aged between   38 – 47 years and more than 48 years. Most of them travelled with family and friends. Tourism information was retrieved from websites, blogs, friends, and relatives. Most demanded information was activity, food, and local merchandise expenses. Thai tourists were rather interested in movement activites, interacting with local people, and food-related activities. Creative attraction for revisiting of Thai tourists in Chinat, Sing Buri, and Lopburi Province regarded atmostphere, scenic view, and unique environment. Target market of creative tourists from three mentioned provinces, therefore, the Thai tourists who aged between 38 – 47 years and more than 48 years travelled with either family or friends and employed online communication. Tourism experience through physical elements for revisiting, tourism activity improvement that reflected community identities, and aligned with interests of the tourists should be paid attention to.