Abstract:
This independent study intended t0 investigate tourist behaviors and satisfaction of visiting sea destinations in Khanom District of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and to study the degree of tourists satisfaction towards marketing factors categorized by personal factors of the tourists. This study was carried out by distributing questionnaire to 385 Thai and foreign tourists who visited sea destinations in Khanom District of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The study signified that the sample group consists of mostly married women at 40-80 years of age, graduated with bachelor degree and working for the government or state enterprises with less than 20,000 USD annual income (less than 70,000 Baht a year or 58,333 Baht a month) and most of them lived in the south of Thailand.
The study on Thai tourists behavior revealed that most of the tourists stayed 1-2 nights, mostly on their first visit. They traveled with families or relatives by their own transportation such as car, usually during public holidays and made a reservation for accommodation by phone. They stayed in average bungalows (under 1,500 Baht a night) and bought processed food as souvenirs. Motivation for traveling on holidays came from magazines or travel manuals. The most popular attractions for this particular group were Nai Plao Beach, Kwang-pao Beach, and Khao Wangthong Cave while their most popular activity was swimming in the sea. This Thai tourists expected to revisit in the future. On the other hand, the analysis on foreign tourists behaviors showed that most of foreigners stayed more than 7 nights and those were in their first visit. They traveled with families or relatives by public transportation such as pus or van. They traveled during holiday and made a reservation for accommodation through tour agencies. These foreign tourists stayed in luxurious hotel (more than 2,500 Baht a night) and did not buy souvenir. Motivation to travel came from the internet. The most popular tourist attractions among this group were Khanom Bay, Kwang-pao Beach, and Khao Wangthong Cave. These foreign tourists expected to revisit in the future.
The study also revealed that tourists satisfaction to all 8 aspects in marketing factors was at average degree. Satisfaction depends greatly on effectiveness and duality of tourist attractions while it depends less on marketing promotion. Comparing the two types of tourist, it was found that Thai tourists were satisfied mostly with tourist service providers whereas foreign tourists were satisfied with effectiveness and duality of tourist attractions.
The study found no difference in tourists satisfaction among different genders. However, other marketing factors such as age, marital status, education level, occupation, monthly income and present location of residence resulted in diverse satisfaction in marketing schemes.
WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA