Guidelines for Promoting Cultural Tourism: A Case of Thai Buffalo Conservation Village, Si Prachan District, Suphan Buri Province

Abstract

            In the current trend of cultural tourism, this case study was on Thai Buffalo Conservation Village, Si Prachan District, Suphan Buri Province. This research aimed to: (1) investigate the current promotion of cultural tourism on Thai Buffalo Conservation Village, and ( 2) examine the economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits from the current promotion of cultural tourism on Thai Buffalo Conservation Village. Qualitative data were obtained from interviewing 21 voluntary participants as key informants, shop owners, officials, villagers, and tourists. Qualitative data were analyzed using triangulation tools. The research found that (1) the promotion of cultural tourism in the Thai Buffalo Conservation Village area is at a moderate level due to insufficient financial support for advertising and public relations, resulting in a lack of awareness among tourists. (2) The economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits from the promotion of cultural tourism in the Thai Buffalo Conservation Village support the economy in generating income for entrepreneurs or workers on the tourist site with cultural uniqueness. In the aspect of society and culture, the Thai Buffalo Conservation Village attracts tourists with activities that provide knowledge about the way of life of Thai farmers. In the environmental aspect, buffaloes are important animals that help reduce agricultural production costs in plowing fields instead of machinery, and  using buffalo dung as organic fertilizer. It is evident from the obtained findings that the merits of natural resources can empower cultural tourism and sustain tourists’ interest in the long run.