Abstract:
The objectives of this research were 1) to study the tourism potential and components, 2) to study the behavior of bicycles tourists, 3) to analyze and propose suitable bicycle routes, and 4) to propose a bicycle tourism management model for border cities in Eastern Lanna. The methodology of this research was conducted as follows: For the first objective, the tourism potential was evaluated based on the concept of 5ASM with a sample of 15 cyclists from cycling club and 133 bicycle tourists. In-depth interview was conducted to collect data about tourism policy, readiness of service sector and entrepreneurs. In addition, data were collected from 51 administrators in public sector, tourism association, and entrepreneurs. Data were collected from 30 bicycle tourism experts and evaluated with an analytical hierarch technique to rank bicycle routes. For the second objective, bicycle tourism behavior was studied by collecting data from 400 Thai and foreign bicycle tourists. The opinions, factors for decision, tourism management guidelines and bicycle tourists facilities were studied by collecting data from 200 bicycle tourists attending the event. For the third objective, the content analysis was conducted to propose suitable routes along with tourist behavior and 5ASM concept. For the fourth objective, the results and SWOT analysis were used to analyze the environment and propose a bicycle tourism management model in order to present data to 90 provincial representatives. The research results indicated that for overall tourism potential and components, the province with the highest potential was Nan, followed by Phayao and Chiang Rai. Nan had the highest attraction potential. Chiang Rai and Phayao had the same highest accessibility potential. Nan had the highest potential in terms of accommodation, amenity, activity, safety, and bicycle tourism management. In terms of the behavior of bicycle tourists, most of the respondents answered that the purpose of bicycle tourism was to attend the organized event. They used various services. The attraction was the participation in the event. A reason for cycling was for experience. A reward was to get new travel companions with the same passion. In terms of analyzing and proposing suitable routes, interesting and beautiful routes with basic amenities, infrastructure, information service should be provided and experience in tourist attractions, rest, travel and safety should be enhanced. In terms of a bicycle tourism management model, environmental impact, changes in local lifestyles, customs and cultures should be considered. Besides, supply chain management-based guidelines should be taken into account to enhance the cooperation among public, private and community sectors. Bicycle routes should be safe and standardized to support tourists and increase income to the community, and career opportunity for people.