Abstract:
The research aimed to study: 1) the fundamental factors of Thai Generation Y Tourists who have visited Thai cultural tourism; 2) the opinion level of the originality image of Thailands culture, quality perception, and value perception based on Thai generation Y tourists; 3) the causal relationship model between the originality image of Thailands culture, quality perception, and value perception based on Thai generation Y tourists.
The research tool was a questionnaire, which was collected from 809 samples of Thai Generation Y Tourists who have visited Thai cultural tourism. The data analysis used SPSS software packaged program version (22.0) and AMOS version (16.0) with the following techniques: frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis and the secondary order confirmatory factor analysis for research conclusion.
The research results indicated that the responded samples of Thai Generation Y Tourists were mostly female, aged 23 27 years old, single status, bachelor degree of education, average income per month is between 15,001 30,000 Bath, stayed at central region, and traveled by themselves. The opinion level of the sample group of Thai Generation Y Tourists on the originality image of Thailands culture was at the highest level (x̄=4.43). The opinion level was at the highest level of all observed variables including the original image of history (x̄=4.47), the original image of architecture (x̄=4.45), the original image of painting (x̄=4.42), and the original image of sculpture (x̄=4.37). For the opinion level of quality perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists indicated that the opinion level of the sampling group on quality perception was at a high level (x̄=3.93). The opinion level was at high level of all observed variables including Thai cultural tourism is safe (x̄=4.02), Thai cultural tourism conveys ancient and modern beauty (x̄= 3.95), and Thai cultural tourism has a good advice process (x̄=3.83). For the opinion level of value perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists indicated that the opinion level of sampling group of Thai Generation Y Tourists on value perception was at a high level (x̄=4.17). The opinion level was at the highest level of observed variables including emotional value (x̄=4.42), social value (x̄= 4.26), epistemic value (x̄=4.24) and the opinion level was at a high level of observed variables including monetary value (x̄=4.01), and functional value (x̄=3.92).
Moreover, the analysis results of the causal relationship model between the originality image of Thailands culture affects on quality and value perception based on Thai generation Y Tourists could be written in structural equation model SEM as follows: 1) Quality perception based on Thai generation Y tourists = 0.567* the originality image of Thailands culture, R2=0.322; 2) Value perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists= 0.781* the originality image of Thailands culture + 0.322* Quality perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists, R2= 0.680.
In conclusion, the confirmatory factor model of the originality image of Thailands culture affects on quality and value perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists, measured 8 out of 12 indicators from 3 components, had validity and the developed causal relationship model was conformed with the empirical data (Chi-square = 7.532, df = 11, P = 0.755, CMIN/DF = 0.685, GFI =0.998, AGFI=0.992, NFI= 0.998, IFI= 1.001, CFI= 1.000, RMR= 0.003, RMSEA = 0.000). The developed causal relationship model between the originality image of Thailands culture, quality perception, and value perception based on Thai Generation Y Tourists had predicting ability at good and acceptable level at 68 % with its acceptance of more than 40%