The COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 heralded a downturn in the Thai economy, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors which rely heavily on international tourists. To decrease the dependence of international tourists, this research outlined three objectives as 1) explore and classify the high-end domestic tourism market among 77 provinces in Thailand, 2) study the potential and readiness of tourism resources and tourism products to cater to the demand of high-end domestic tourists, and 3) suggest tourism management approaches for domestic high-end tourists after the crisis. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were applied to achieve the research objectives. Income was used to identify and segment high-end domestic tourists living in 77 provinces in Thailand, while a verified questionnaire collected data from 1200 respondents nationwide. Forty-one experts from different tourism-related agencies at local and regional levels were targeted using purposive sampling techniques, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to acquire qualitative data. High-end domestic tourists, classified by monthly income, were segmented into Silver (50,000–70,000 THB), Gold (70,001–90,000 THB), Diamond (91,001–110,000 THB), and Platinum groups (Over 110,001 THB). These high-end domestic tourists shared both similarities and differences in tourism needs, preferences, and behaviors. Sixteen provinces in six domestic regions demonstrated the potential and readiness of tourism resources and products to satisfy the needs, preferences, and behaviors of high-end domestic tourists.
This study aims to analyze Closed Varosha, a prominent tourist destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, as a traumatic landscape in the 1970s. This study also seeks to evaluate this site from the perspective of landscape architecture, with a particular focus on urban memory and dark tourism concepts, and to introduce the concept of “traumatic landscapes” to the existing literature on the subject. The case study analysis, on-site observation and document examination techniques were employed as research methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted as part of this study, encompassing data on Closed Varosha, the study area, and its surrounding context. The Varosha city visited with the assistance of a travel guide, and comprehensive information and visual materials (photographs, video footage, etc.) collected in the field study. Study results proposed that the landscapes where social traumas are experienced and which have become a symbol should be used for cultural and scientific activities. This may be achieved by making use of urban memory in order to transform these landscapes into an improved version of the existing ones. Furthermore, this could serve to awaken the awareness of universal peace in visitors within the scope of dark tourism. Another potential avenue for exploration is the organization of common sense workshops with the participation of stakeholders from both communities. This could facilitate the development of future solutions through a participatory approach. Additionally, there is a need to expand transnational and multidisciplinary studies. This would enable future generations to engage in dialogue about Closed Varosha in a constructive manner.
