Sports Tourism Management Programs on Enhancing for Competitors and the Audience Attending Triathlon Events in Thailand

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to develop sports tourism management programs to enhance the events for competitors and the audiences attending triathlon events in Thailand and to assess the differences between expectations and satisfaction toward sports tourism management programs. This study was conducted in three stages, as follows: (1) data analyzed and synthesized from related documents, then program created and the sports tourism management programs justified by five experts; (2) the seven components tested with thirteen programs by pilot study; (3) the programs evaluated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Modified Priority Needs Index (PNI modified) The research showed that the sports tourism management for the competitors and audiences attending triathlon events comprised thirteen programs. All participants had higher satisfaction scores than expectation scores in all programs. Moreover, PNI modified analysis showed that the top five ranking form high to low were: Program 4: Choosing in tourism program (.31), followed by Program 7: Budget accommodation (.25), Program 6: Luxury accommodation (.24), Program 3: Tourism in special interests (.21). and Program 5: Travel expenses (.19), respectively. It could be concluded that sports tourism programs could increase the number of competitors and audiences and enhance the event to give more comfort and convenience to participate in the triathlon event.