The Development of the Thai Long-boat Race as a Sports Tourism and Cultural Product

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the perception of Thai long-boat racing in Phichit Province, central Thailand as a heritage sport tourism product. As the most important event in the provincial calendar, the race is only enjoyed largely by residents of Phichit and neighbouring provinces, and hence has limited potential for economic growth. Field observations and thematic analyses of interviews from locals, visitors and the public sector revealed that although races have become more commercialised, respondents still perceive this event as a form of cultural inheritance. As an activity for cultural preservation, community engagement was evident in the volunteerism of residents, and reflects their desire to pass these cultural values on to the next generation. The community perspectives show how the long-boat race is transitioning between a local folk festival into a heritage sport tourism product with a larger mass appeal.

KEYWORDS:

• Event tourism
• heritage sport tourism
• tourism product
• community participation
• long-boat racing
• Thailand

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.