Responses toward Regulations and Recreational User Management Measures of Visitors to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the perception and responses toward regulations and recreational user management measures of visitors to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and to determine factors influencing those responses. A visitor survey by questionnaire was conducted and 420 visitors participated in the survey. Observation methods were also employed in order to obtain detailed information on visitors’ behavior. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The study results revealed that the average score of visitor perception toward the regulations and recreational user management measures was moderate and most visitors responded positively to the regulations and management measures. Correlation analysis found 6 independent variables from 17 variables significantly correlated to visitors’ responses toward regulations and recreational management measures. These were: knowledge toward the regulations and management measures (r = 0.312, p-value = 0.01); knowledge toward environmental impacts from recreational uses of natural areas (r = 0.221, p-value = 0.01); users’ residence (r = -0.219, p-value = 0.01); motivation for physical development, challenges, and adventure (r = -0.109; p-value = 0.05); time period engaging in recreational activities (r = 0.138, p-value = 0.01); and park regulation enforcement (r =  0.213, p-value = 0.01). However, multiple regression analysis found only five independent variables significantly influenced the responses of visitors toward regulations and recreational management measures, and accounted for 21.70% of the variance in the responses (F = 6.536, p-value = 0.000, r² = 0.217). The variable with the most influence was park regulation enforcement (beta = 0.255, p-value = 0.000).

Keywords: Responses, Regulations and Recreational User Management Measures, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park