Lanna Cultural Heritage Tourism Routes in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

Mae Sariang District is one of the districts in Mae Hong Son Province. With its rich and diverse cultural heritage, the district holds significant potential for sustainable tourism development. This study had three main objectives: to explore the historical, archaeological, and art historical identities of Mae Sariang District; to assess the potential of cultural heritage sites in Mae Sariang District for their development into creative cultural tourism destinations; and to develop a creative tourism route that integrates all three dimensions. The study started with a literature review and in-depth interviews with local scholars possessing extensive cultural knowledge, to identify the cultural identities of the tourism sites. Field surveys were then conducted, and the 6A’s framework by Dimitrios Buhalis was applied to evaluate the potential of 13 cultural heritage sites. Finally, a cultural heritage tourism route was developed and assessed by participants who joined the tourism program. The findings indicate that Mae Sariang represents the westernmost area where Lanna culture and architecture are remarkably expressed, as evidenced by historical sites and archaeological remains from the Lanna period. Among the 13 evaluated sites, seven were selected and integrated into the tourism program, which received positive evaluation feedback from local stakeholders. This study plays a vital role in promoting cultural tourism in Mae Sariang District and can serve as a model for sustainable tourism development in other regions.