Critical Success Factors for Positioning Phuket Province as a Destination for International Sport Events: Stakeholders’ Perspectives
Keywords:
International Sports Events, Sport Tourism, Phuket Province, Stakeholders, Critical Success Factors, DestinationAbstract
This qualitative research aimed to (1) examining stakeholders' perspectives on driving Phuket towards becoming a destination for international sports events, and (2) analyzing the success factors of Phuket as a destination for international sports events. A case study approach was employed, using in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, including government officials, private sector operators, sports event organizers, academics, and athletes. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that stakeholders perceived Phuket as possessing outstanding natural resources, a strong global tourism image, and well-developed infrastructure that supports international sports events. Furthermore, international sports events play a crucial role in stimulating the economy, attracting high-quality tourists, and enhancing the city's image. Moreover, eight elements were identified and categorized into two factors: basic factors (infrastructure and facilities, event management quality, safety and health, and government–private sector support) and competitive advantage factors (community participation, environment and image, sustainability and event legacy, and marketing and communication). The findings suggest that elevating Phuket province to a destination for international sports events requires strategic planning and systematic, integrated collaboration among the public, private, and civil sectors.
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บุคลานุกรม
Government Sector 1 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At the Phuket Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, 71 Moo 5, Wichitsongkram Road, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000.Interview conducted on 9 July 2025.
Government Sector 2 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 18 July 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Government Sector 3 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Limelight Avenue Phuket, 2/23 Dibuk Road, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 21 July 2025.
Association 1 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Central Festival Phuket, 74–75 Wichitsongkram Road, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 28 July 2025.
Association 2 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 21 July 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Association 3 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 26 July 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Event Organizer 1 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 3 August 2025.
Event Organizer 2 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 22 July 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Event Organizer 3 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 4 August 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Academic 1 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 27 July 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Academic 2 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 2 August 2025.
Academic 3 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Mai Mon Forest Local Restaurant, 9 Phangnga Road, Talat Yai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 2 August 2025.
Participant 1 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Good Café Phuket, 100/1000 Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 23 July 2025.
Participant 2 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 4 August 2025 (Online via Zoom Application).
Participant 3 (Interviewee). Kittipong Krootsong (Interviewer). At Phuket Rajabhat University, 21 Moo 6, Thepkrasattri Road, Ratsada Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000. Interview conducted on 19 July 2025.
