Accommodation management of home stay for ecotourism : a case study of Phuthai cultural village of Ban Khok Kong, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the accommodation management of home stay for ecotourism and to investigate the conditions and environment of the accommodation of a culturally prominent community Ban Khok Kong, Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province. The study according to the scope of accommodation management: organizing management, physical management, marketing management, financial management, activities management and environmental management. There were 5 groups of samples: (1) 33 home stays (2) 2 ex-home stays (3) 95 normal houses (4) community leader and (5) 51 tourists. The sample groups (1)-(4) are 100%. There were 4 questionnaires for this research. The first questionnaire for group (1) focused on accommodation management of home stay. The second questionnaire for groups (1), (2) and (3) were about community attitude toward community-based tourism. The third questionnaire for group (5) focused on attitudes toward tourist satisfaction, and the fourth questionnaire for group (4) was about community information database. Observation and photography were also used in this research. Results found that Ban Khok Kong was established in 1998 as a community presenting home stay accommodation ecotourism or community-based tourism. Ban Khok Kong has retained much of its rural culture. Most people are farmers and 90% of the land is used for farming. Most accommodation use mixed materials with timber and brick and are one-story houses on stilts the same as normal rural Isan homes. There is only one Buddhist temple in the village, and it is used for many activities. The villagers depend on the forest and mountains as sources for food and water. Result its also found that (1) Ban Khok Kong offers community-based tourism and managed is through participation public where the community agrees to follow sustainable tourism management. The weakness is no one controls tourism promotion activities and they have no contact with consultants. (2) The structures of Ban Khok Kong have no identity and so this is not a selling point for tourism. Furthermore is just cleaning and maintenance by a host. (3) Promotion managed by the community doesnt reach its target group ; thus, there is a lack of tourists. Support by related institutes is needed to reach target groups and increase the number of tourists. (4) The community needs funding to maintain home stays and tourist attractions. Furthermore, they need support in tourism entertainment activities. (5) The communitys tourism activities now only present the communitys culture and lifestyle with the forest and mountains. (6) Capacity depends on the quantity of accommodation and it is necessary to consider the environment, rubbish and waste water management. It recommended the communities in the area cooperate to offer more and varied activities