Assessing the Quality Standards of Cave-Type Natural Tourist Attractions : A case study of Ley Khao Kop Cave, Trang Province

Abstract

           The objectives of this study were to 1) assess the potential of developing a cave-type natural tourist attraction of Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province 2) assess the standard of natural tourist attractions of Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province. The population used in this study was staff/personnel and academics involved in conservation, development and promotion of tourism to Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province and tourism service providers in Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province with a sample size of 108 samples. The Purposive Sampling method was used to select samples. The research instrument was a cave-type natural tourist attraction quality standard assessment form of the Department of Tourism.

          The results of the assessment of the quality standards of natural tourist attractions in the cave type of Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province, which had consisted of 35 indicators, with a full score of 175 points, the indicators were divided into 2 parts: 13 indicators evaluate the potential of Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province) and 22 indicators part 2 to evaluate the standard of natural tourist attractions cave type of Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province), The study found that Part 1 had an average score of 48.04 (out of 65 points) and Part 2 had an average score of 70.24 (out of a total score of 110), and both parts had a mean score of 118.28 ( from a full score of 175 points), The score received was compared to the standard score level and It was found that the quality of cave tourist attractions in Ley Khao Kop cave, Trang Province was in good level or three stars.