Community Potential Development for Sustainable Agro-tourism in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) Develop community potential for sustainable agro-tourism by community involvement. 2) Develop training manual for community potential development. The population of this study were farmers, farmers’ housewives and community people in Phuket and Chonburi provinces  and Thai tourists who used to visit these two provinces. Data was collected through the interview, survey, observation and inquiry. The study showed that the community needed to be trained about food processing from products in the communities which were in accordance with the tourists’ requirements about visiting and tasting of agricultural products, products processing and products distribution. The implementation of training on food processing and tourism service for community people were conducted and developed training manual for community potential development. It can be concluded that developing sustainable agro-tourism should emphasized on economic growth together with conservation of local culture and environment. The important is community participation and benefit sharing fairly.

Key words: community potential development, agro–tourism, sustainable tourism.