Abstract:
The objectives of this independent study are (1) to study the context of tourism system of Lamphun province and (2) to study the reasons why tourists do not come to Lamphun. There are both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected by semi-structured interview from 52 tourists in 3 different types of attractions in Chiang Mai according to Lamphuns tourism resources: (1) natural attractions (2) historical and religious attractions, and (3) art and festival attractions.
The results of this study can be summarized as follows. (1) Product: there are the varieties of attractions which are natural, historical and religious, art and festival attractions; although, most of the attractions are historical. Also, most of the sites are in a good condition and ready for the tourists. In addition, tourism activities can be divided in 3 types of the attractions, and there are local festivals all the year except in June. (2) Place: there are different ways of transportations to Lamphun, but the transport system in Lamphun itself is limited. (3) Promotion: there is only one tourist information center which is insufficient. Plus, the sites advertising is not various and numerous so that the tourist cannot get into the information. (4) Physical environment and presentation: this factor mostly is in a good condition and ready for the tourists.
The reasons why the tourists do not come to Lamphun, ranking from the most to the least important factors, are: promotion, there are a few advertising and they are not various; thus, the tourists cannot get into the Lamphun sites information. Next are product, place, and personal reasons in order. The example of personal reason is the time of that trip is not enough to go to other places. For physical environment and presentation, this factor has no effect on the tourists.
Hence, the guidelines for Lamphuns tourism-development, based on marketing mix concept (4 Ps) in relation to the integration of tourism components (6 As), are: (1) Product: the historical and religious attraction should be conserved, such as improving the attractions to suit the learning about history as well as concerning about the environment. (2) Place: the public transportation in Lamphun should be increased in various ways, namely establishing a club of tricycle around the sites for the tourists convenience, also it can increase the revenue to the local community. (3) Promotion: the advertisement should be more various. Plus, the sign of both Lamphun and the sites should be added; especially, on the way between Lampang and Chiang Mai province. (4) Physical environment and presentation: this factor is in a good term, but it should managed about the parking lot and sanitation when the festival time because there will be more tourists.