RESOURCES
RESOURCES: PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS
Author : | Attama Nilnoppkun |
---|---|
School/Work Place : | Silpakorn University, Thailand |
Contact : | attama@ms.su.ac.th |
Year : | 2012 |
Social capital has been recognised as a factor affecting sustainable development in every discipline. A network or a partnership is identified as a “structural” form of social capital and a tool to empower participants in the networks. There is a belief that social networks can be initiated or created at every level of social capital, from micro to macro. However, the concept of community is the key component of social capital, creating both physical ties (geographical locality), and normative behaviours (sense of belonging). Therefore, this study is intended to enhance social capital at the community, or micro level, in order to sustain tourism development in those areas, and networking was initiated to enhance social capital. Participatory Action Research (PAR) was applied to tourism development in Kon Kaen Province. Tools and techniques used during this study included: observations, preliminary meetings, community meetings, tourism audits, workshops, and network meetings. Eleven districts in Khon Kaen were actively involved in the planning process.