Guidelines for Accommodation Designs to Promote Community-Based Tourism in Takua Pa Old Town

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study was to find out guidelines for accommodation designs to promote community-based tourism in Takua Pa Old Town, Phang-nga Province. Data were collected from seven informants consisting of owners of old residential buildings who lived in the community and members of organizations involved in old town conservation through in-depth interviews and non-participant observations. For data analysis, the data were categorized, interpreted and concluded using descriptive analysis. The results of the study were that designing accommodations for Takua Pa Old Town began from investigating the conditions, architecture and uses of old buildings. After that the results of the investigations were used in designing an accommodation in the category of “hometel” with two storeys based on the old architectural style in the area. Thus, the hometel was designed to have a space for doing activities, recreation and get togethers. This design of accommodation in the community would promote tourists to learn and understand the community’s way of life and this type of accommodation could be used as guidelines for development and promotion of another way for making income in the community.