Cultural Community-Based Tourism: A Case Study of Ngao Community, Mueang District, Ranong Province, Thailand

Abstract

In the rural areas, cultural tourism programs (CTPs) provide opportunities for local communities to augment their income. These programs are intended to empower local people and reduce poverty, while villagers do not have to change their way of life. Local culture is not only appreciated as a tourism attraction, but also a resource upon which community-based tourism development can be built. The three pillars of sustainability, which are consist of the economic, social, and environmental pillars, are a powerful tool for defining the complete sustainability problem. If any pillar is weak then the system as a whole is unsustainable. This study aimed to study the community’s context and evaluate attraction site in Ngao Community, Mueang District, Ranong Province, Thailand as a cultural attraction for sustainable tourism. Data was collected from 3 government officials, 2 business people and 3 local people (8 people in total) and using in-depth interviews. It showed that the participation of community people plays the important role for development of cultural tourism management to become sustainable. The government also needs to continue supporting these initiatives at all levels, to coach how to start a CTPs Startup and to improve the existing ones.