Integrating Community Tourism Business: The Route of Amphawa Floating Market at Samut Songkhram Province

Abstract

This study aims to look at a variety of tourist attractions in the business community by following the way of Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram Province. Integrate tourism with business community to create income and contribute to economic development of the community in Amphawa Floating Market. This research, therefore, is interested in study of Place of Amphawa Floating Market, Thai intellectual products, Home-stay for the route of Amphawa Floating Market. However, the study of behavior and satisfaction on each side of the business community is gathering the data to set some guidelines for tourism development business in the way (doing business in a particular way) of Amphawa Floating Market. This study used random sample of 800 cases with a tour of Amphawa Floating Market. A questionnaire was used as a survey tool. Research statistics were; frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The survey finds the followings for guidelines of tourism development business in the way.

The Place of Amphawa Floating Market suggested that, it should have enough parking spaces and friendly merchants in the area. However, the most of the products should be from local communityor Thai intellectual products and not expensive. Area in the Amphawa Floating Market should have activity to show the products and services during the festival. The area should be clean in the Amphawa Floating Market, conservation of environment, the market’s original atmosphere, and seeing fire flies at nights should be preserved.

Thai intellectual products; wide variety of Thai intellectual products should be offered. Modern packaging with various sizes should be offered for tourists demand. These items should have various price levels and offer value for money. In addition, unique handicraft products and souvenirs should be offered. Especially food products should be clean and unique with local flavor.

Home-stay should be chosen from riverside, close to Floating Market, have a natural environment. Ownership of home should have activity of education in rustic ways of life for tourists and be friendly with them. In addition, provide clean standards, standards priced rooms, security for property of tourists, good quality food, educate locals to speak basic English and providing services. Above all, home ownership should be preserved by staying together with tourists in a conservative traditional style. Integrating the three aspects of the way of Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram Province, it should be promoted by media and the public relations altogether relevant government and agencies. Community should be developed in each area of business communication and preserve the traditional and cultural resources to support each other for tourism business community to continue sustainability.