Tourist behaviors and needs corresponding to historical tourism management at Khao Phra Wihan National Park, Sisaket Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to 1) to study the behaviors of tourists relating to historical tourism at Khao Phra Wihan national park in Sisaket province, 2) to survey the opinions of the tourists regarding the management, of historical tourism and 3) to better understand the needs of the tourists towards historical tourism management at Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province, Thailand. In order to ascertain the relevant factors, a quantitative study was conducted by utilizing questionnaires. The survey was conducted with 400 tourists at the park. The results shown the analysis of the tourists’ behaviors at the park and that tourists had learned about the site from a tourism website. Regarding the attractions of the site, the tourists paid attention to the importance of the site as a proof of history and they treasured the architectural characteristics of the site. Tourists also enjoyed participating in the activities offered at Khao Phra Wihan National Park and around the site but where concerned about the conservation of the site, and thus joined in the processes of cleaning and maintaining the site. What concerned tourists the most regarding the role of the local community in managing a historical tourism site like Khao Phra Wihan National Park was the conservation and preservation of local culture. The tourists agreed that conserving the authenticity and true values of the site represented is one way of achieving tourism management at the site. The survey results and the opinions of the tourists regarding the management of historical tourism at the park suggest that the tourists agree with the current historical tourism management in the area. The results were particularly the highest for site authenticity, followed by the site itself, and then public relations. The tourists ranked all of the criteria in the study as high, and the trend can thus be interpreted as highly positive. When each point was considered, the need for activities was found to be the highest requirement which was in part absent.