Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to 1) study the potential of sustainable integrated tourism development in Rayong Province, Thailand, 2) develop the strategic plan for sustainable integrated tourism development in Rayong Province, Thailand. 3) evaluate the implementation of strategic plan for sustainable integrated tourism development in Pak Nam Prasae community, case study pilot project. There are totally 32 samples from 4 populations in this research representing public sector, private sector, local residents and tourists in Rayong Province. Research methodologies were qualitative and participatory action research (PAR), research instruments were: community study checklists, tourism resource audit, focus group and in-depth interview forms, used to collect data from public and private sectors, population and tourists. The 3-ways triangular verifications and content analysis were used. The results from this research revealed that Rayong had high potentials of tourism resources, sustainable tourism management, Stakeholders, Community and tourist participation in the development and educational activities to raise awareness. The research proposed the strategic plan which demonstrated 4 brand vision: 1) Rayong will be the gateway to Eastern Economic Corridor: EEC tourism with the strategy to protect the environment in the area, 2) Rayong will be the gateway to visit diverse ways of life to enhance social development. 3) Rayong will be the gateway of industrial, fruit and food innovative tourism and tourism in EECs industrial areas to develop local economy and to enhance the income distribution. 4) Rayong will be the gateway to visit historical route, depicting King Taksin the Greats path for Thailand Independence to preserve culture and to develop the mind. The evaluation of the pilot project case study were: Pak Nam Prasae community were highly satisfied with their sustainable integrated tourism development and the tourists visiting the area were also satisfied with their trip in the community.