An Analysis of the Characteristics of Thai Slow Tourist Along the Khmer Cultural Routes in Thailand Using Factor Analysis Techniques

This research was aimed at studying the characteristics of Thai tourist who were taking a slow trip along the Khmer cultural routes in Thailand. It focuses on two aspects of touring: touring characteristics and touring behaviors. The framework of this study is based on a review of the existing literature in the related fields. It was observed that taking slow trip results in an alteration with regards to the tourists’ behaviors and the forms of tourism. To be more specific, slow trip takers tend to take their time while traveling, and this enables them to appreciate more about the places along the way. Furthermore, slow trips can help tourists to gain a better understanding about the places they are visiting (Ranee Esichaikul & Chatchapol Songsungthonwong, 2012). Obtaining sufficient information about the characteristics of this type of tourists can help tourism entrepreneurs to prepare goods and services that appropriately serve the needs of this particular group of tourists. This research is confined to the quantitative research discipline. Questionnaires were distributed to Thai slow trip takers and the data was analyzed using factor analysis. The factor analysis results help to classify the slow trip takers into 12 groups based on their characteristics as follows: touring objectives, perception and expectation about the tour, knowledge and experience, touring activities, touring flexibility, quest to learn new things & the state of being an explorer, cultural differences, learning skills, concerns about the well-being of nature, awareness of conservationism, selection of accommodation, and curiosity. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n2p418