Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the model of causal relationships affecting the value-oriented marketing strategy of local souvenirs in the Lower Northeastern Territory of Thailand. The research objectives of this study were to: 1) explore the purchasing behavior and experiences of Thai tourists when buying local souvenir products; 2) examine the perceived value held by tourists regarding the selection of local souvenir products; 3) analyze the extent to which the social attitudes of tourists impact their choices when it comes to local souvenir products; 4) investigate the relationship between tourists perceived value and their social attitudes in the context of purchasing local souvenirs; and 5) develop a model that illustrates the causal factors influencing value-oriented marketing strategies for local souvenir products in the lower northeastern region of Thailand. This research was characterized as exploratory and developmental in nature. It utilized a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool, which was administered to a sample of 1,200 Thai tourists. The data analysis involved various statistical techniques, including measures like frequency, percentage, mean, skewness, kurtosis, and correlation coefficient. Additionally, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was employed to further explore the relationships between the variables in the study.
The findings indicated that a significant portion of the sample consisted of females (59.80%), individuals in the age range of 31 to 40 years (40.80%), and those with a monthly income falling within the 20,001-to-30,000-baht bracket (27.80%). Most respondents reported a tendency to purchase local souvenirs as gifts for family members, relatives, lovers, and friends (55.3%). Jewelry souvenirs were the most frequently purchased items, accounting for 66.6% of purchases. When assessing the perception of the value of local souvenirs (with an average score of ( = 4.381) and social attitudes (with an average score of ( = 4.405) among the sample, it is noteworthy that both aspects were rated at the highest level according to the calculated averages. Regarding the value-oriented marketing strategy of local souvenirs, it was discovered that the most appropriate approach, when interpreted from the mean, was that the image of local souvenirs was connected to tourism ( = 4.488). When interpreting the mean scores, the perception of local souvenirs ( = 4.381) and the social attitudes ( = 4.405) of the samples were at the highest level. The perceived value of local souvenirs had a positive impact on social attitudes toward local souvenirs at the statistical significance level of 0.05, with a correlation coefficient of 0.948. The created causal factor model for the value-oriented marketing strategy of local souvenirs was consistent with empirical data, had strong predictive power, and was acceptable since its multiple squared correlation accounted for 92.70 percent. It demonstrates that perception of value, social attitude, and local souvenir types are causal factors influencing the value-oriented marketing strategy of local souvenirs. Specifically, the study reveals that social attitudes regarding local souvenir products have a more significant direct influence, as indicated by a path coefficient greater than that of perceived value. These social attitudes encompass the significance placed on supporting the community economy, valuing societal and environmental concerns, and upholding ethical considerations. This suggests that consumers who prioritize positive social values are more likely to influence their choice of local souvenir products, with a significance level of 0.5. The insights derived from this research can be leveraged to formulate value-oriented marketing strategies for local souvenir products. Such strategies may involve crafting brand images that resonate with the communitys identity and symbolize the regions social values. Additionally, connecting these products with popular tourist attractions can enhance awareness and create lasting memories, reinforcing the idea of local souvenirs as integral components of the overall tourism experience. Ultimately, this approach promotes mutual support among various tourism-related products and services.