The Potential for Key Success of Community-Based Tourism Sustainability: Case Study Baan Rim Klong Homestay, Samut Songkram, Thailand

Abstract

Globalization has affected the behavior of visitors, changing from an entertainment-focus to the seeking of new touristic experiences. Community-based tourism is linked to the local community through the economy. This research used a qualitative approach to meet the objectives, to study the potential for key success in community-based tourism in Baan Rim Klong Homestay, Samut Songkram, Thailand. The study was carried out via survey research, collecting data from in-depth interviews with the leader and members of the community-based tourism program, as well as observations of participants and non-participants during tourism activities at Baan Rim Klong Homestay. The respondents in this research consisted of 30 people from the group called Baan Rim Klong Homestay, selected using a purposive random sampling method. The results showed that there is potential for community-based tourism in the Baan Rim Klong Homestay area as it demonstrates a self-reliant economy and community, with knowledgeable tourism activities such as giving alms to the monks, making Thai dessert, producing handmade crafts, making coconut sugar, firefly sightseeing cruise, and mangrove forest planting. The main purpose of Baan Rim Klong Homestay is to preserve the original lifestyle of the riverside community, including its culture, nature, and environment. The main factors which lead to the success of Baan Rim Klong Homestay include leadership, tourism management, community participation, and a tourism network.