Supporting sustainable development through community-based tourism: A case study of Ban Nong Khao, Kanchanaburi province.

Abstract

This research aims to investigate how Community Based Tourism (CBT) can be applied in tourism area to support the Sustainability Development (SD) in Thailand. Ban Nong Khao in Kanchanaburi Province is selected as a case study for in-depth findings of implementation steps, strengths and weaknesses, obstacles as well as recommending on the future successful development of CBT in other communities to create the country's sustainable tourism. In terms of literature review, the concept and principles of CBT and SD are correspondent to each other in terms of economic, social, cultural, environmental and Political. By using the qualitative interview with concerned local people, it has been found that, in addition to the special characteristics of Ban Nong Khao for its various traditional cultures from generations to generations and the community's environmental awareness, CBT implementation has been successful for years mainly due to the participation and unity of local people, and the community gains benefits from CBT not only an increase on fund raising and additional individual income, but also the improvement of quality of life. All these findings are helpful for other communities to develop themselves by using CBT as a tool for sustainable development.