Propose recommendations for developing the long-stay lodging business for the elderly Japanese in Chiang Mai

Abstract

          The long-stay business has been established in Thailand for a long time. Nowadays, it has become one of the public policies on tourism, particularly in Chiang Mai where is a very popular tourist destination. This research’s objectives were to survey the situations of the long-stay lodging business for the elderly Japanese in Chiang Mai and to propose recommendations for developing the long-stay lodging business. It was found that the elderly Japanese who stayed for a long period lived on their pensions and thriftily spent their money. They socially and culturally gathered in groups with the Japanese. They usually chose accommodations provided with convenience in every aspect. They admired hospitality of lodging entrepreneurs and local people in Chiang Mai. Also, long-stay entrepreneurs well satisfied the needs of these long-stay tourists. However, a decrease in a number of long-stay tourists, smog affecting the health, problems with a visa renewal process causing confusion, and other alternatives for long-stay living in other destinations, were found. All public, private (long-stay lodging business), and local communities in Chiang Mai should cooperate to solve these problems in order to develop this long-stay lodging business, and improve other factors affecting tourism such as learning foreign languages, developing service skills to cope with tourists, and establishing a one-stop service to specifically take care of this long-stay tourists.