The Concept of Using the Local Identity for Tourism Promotion in Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat), Thailand

Abstract

The academic article aims to study the concept of using the local identity for tourism promotion in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand and to analyze the concept of using the local identity for tourism promotion in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) is chosen for the studies because it is the largest area province in Thailand and the province also consists of many local identities that can use for tourism promotion such National Park, Historical Park, Natural Tourist place, Cultural and traditional tourist places. This article is conducted with thoroughly studies on the secondary data from Thailand and abroad. The studies found that the local identity of Khorat has been used by both the government and private sector to promote the tourism in Nakhon Ratchasima by adding its value and distinctive cultural of the community in various tourism activities such as the tourism program, traveling route, district events, ceremonies, festival, religious events, and seasonal occasion. The local identity helps to generate the income for the community. The community should pay attention to the conservation, recovery, modification and development of its local identity as it can transfer from one generation to another generation and become sustainable tourism in the community. The suggestions for tourism promotion are 1) to add the value and distinctive local identity of community to every tourism activities and tourism program. 2) To apply the community-based tourism and conservative tourism to conserve the original identity of the community 3) To spread the core knowledge for the deep understanding and sharing of the importance of local identity in order to build the strong network between the government sector and private sector. 4) The government should arrange the budget and strategic plan to support and increase the standard of the local identity and cultural community-based tourism. 5) To increase the budget and skill in the digital marketing and online promotion to attract the tourists in digital economy.