The development of a wellness tourism program in Thailand: a community-based participatory action research approach with an empowerment theoretical framework
Dublin Core
Title
The development of a wellness tourism program in Thailand: a community-based participatory action research approach with an empowerment theoretical framework
Subject
empowerment, participatory action research, wellness tourism
Description
Introduction: Thailand has not had a comprehensive effort to collaborate on a wellness tourism regional program
for foreign travelers. The purpose of the study was exploring the key components necessary for a wellness tourism
program in the lower northern region in Thailand.
Methods: This is a qualitative, community-based, participatory action research guided by the empowerment theory.
A descriptive qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was used to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on
the development of a wellness tourism program. A total of 40 key stakeholders from nine provinces in the lower
north region of Thailand participated in two phases of the study’s data collection. Individual and focus groups
interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically. The purposive sample included semi-structured questionnaires
among community leaders, village health volunteers, and workers from various occupations who lived in the
communities.
Results: Four themes emerged from the qualitative interviews and focus groups: 1) honoring local wisdom as the
heart of a regional wellness tourism program; 2) the integration of historical traditions and regional lifestyles into a
wellness tourism program; 3) the need for government supportive policies that help to fund community wellness
initiatives to boost the local economy and tourism ;and 4) attention needed to improve the quality of life for the local
communities while promoting wellness tourism in the region.
Conclusion: This community-based participatory action research approach created a synergy among stakeholders
from multiple provinces in the lower north region of Thailand. Preliminary steps are underway to continue with the
development and implementation of a wellness tourism initiative that can showcase the unique cultural, historical, and
environmental attributes related to the health and wellbeing within this region.
for foreign travelers. The purpose of the study was exploring the key components necessary for a wellness tourism
program in the lower northern region in Thailand.
Methods: This is a qualitative, community-based, participatory action research guided by the empowerment theory.
A descriptive qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was used to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on
the development of a wellness tourism program. A total of 40 key stakeholders from nine provinces in the lower
north region of Thailand participated in two phases of the study’s data collection. Individual and focus groups
interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically. The purposive sample included semi-structured questionnaires
among community leaders, village health volunteers, and workers from various occupations who lived in the
communities.
Results: Four themes emerged from the qualitative interviews and focus groups: 1) honoring local wisdom as the
heart of a regional wellness tourism program; 2) the integration of historical traditions and regional lifestyles into a
wellness tourism program; 3) the need for government supportive policies that help to fund community wellness
initiatives to boost the local economy and tourism ;and 4) attention needed to improve the quality of life for the local
communities while promoting wellness tourism in the region.
Conclusion: This community-based participatory action research approach created a synergy among stakeholders
from multiple provinces in the lower north region of Thailand. Preliminary steps are underway to continue with the
development and implementation of a wellness tourism initiative that can showcase the unique cultural, historical, and
environmental attributes related to the health and wellbeing within this region.
Creator
Somsak Thojampa1
* , Sirikanok Klankhajhon1
, Kittisak Kumpeera1
, Chuthathip
Mongkholkham1
, and Barbara Ellen Mawn2
* , Sirikanok Klankhajhon1
, Kittisak Kumpeera1
, Chuthathip
Mongkholkham1
, and Barbara Ellen Mawn2
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v18i3.46271
Date
27 September 2023
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Somsak Thojampa1
* , Sirikanok Klankhajhon1
, Kittisak Kumpeera1
, Chuthathip
Mongkholkham1
, and Barbara Ellen Mawn2, “The development of a wellness tourism program in Thailand: a community-based participatory action research approach with an empowerment theoretical framework,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/10934.