Local Communities Participation in Wildlife Tourism Development at Kuiburi National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were firstly, to determine the level and relationships, and secondly, to determine the influences of such factors on transformational leadership, community factor and the community behavior on the local communities participation in wildlife tourism development at Kuiburi National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

The Data was collected using questionnaires and interviewed. 360 samples were collected from villagers living in communities around Kuiburi National Park. Statistical analysis included mean standard deviation, maximum, minimum, skewness, kurtosis and testing hypothesis model of appropriateness index at 99 percent degree of confidence. Data were analyed using software package.

The results indicated that the level and relationship among all factors on the local communities participation in wildlife tourism development at Kuiburi National Park were at the high level. The correlation among community behavior and local communities participation in wildlife tourism development showed the highest relationship (89.00%). The model validation indicated that the causal model was fitted with the empirical data with root mean square error of approximation. This finding could be used to set guidelines in promoting the participation of local communication in wildlife tourism by facilitating the forming of groups and network coordination to create understanding of wildlife tourism, and the development of better communication among local communities and their leaders.