Guidelines for Promoting Buddhist Tourism in Mueang District, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

          The objectives of this research were to: 1) Study the components of tourism and the promotion of Buddhist tourism 2) Study the relationship between the components of tourism and the promotion of Buddhist tourism 3) Propose guidelines for the promotion of Buddhist tourism in Mueang District, Phetchaburi Province. The samples were Tourists traveling in Mueang District, Phetchaburi Province, with an uncertain population, the sample determination used in the research was calculated from the formula for calculating the sample size in the case where the population value is unknown, and 15 key informants, The population who are stakeholders of Buddhist tourism attractions in Phetchaburi Province and tourists, selected by using purposive sampling method. The research tools were a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.95 and an in-depth interview form. The data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and content analysis. The research results were as follows: 1) The components of tourism and the promotion of Buddhist tourism in Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi Province, were at a high level overall (= 4.33, S.D. = 0.66) when considering each aspect in descending order: accommodation, facilities, activities, and attractions. As for the promotion and development of Buddhist tourism in Mueang Phetchaburi District, the overall level was at a high level ( = 4.36, S.D. = 0.66) when considering each aspect in descending order: location, personnel, activities, public relations, and creating participation in tourism management. 2) The relationship between tourism components and the promotion of Buddhist tourism in Mueang Phetchaburi District is generally positively related at a high level, with statistical significance at the 0.01 level, with a coefficient (r = 0.78). 3) Guidelines for promoting Buddhist tourism in Mueang District, Phetchaburi Province should focus on activities related to Buddhism, the King, and the nation, and invite relatives and friends to participate in various activities. Establish policies to support Buddhist tourism in conjunction with religious festivals and promote volunteerism in providing information to tourists in temples or helping to maintain cleanliness in temples.