Herbal Garden Tourism Development In Thailand: A Case Study

Abstract

This article aims to study species of herbs and their properties to develop a tourism site in Baan Nai Wang, Baanna Sub-district, Srinakarin District, Phatthalung Province, present healthy food menus for tourists that use local raw ingredients, and develop an herbal garden tourism handbook for the Songkhla Lake Basin. Data were collected through a field survey, focus group discussions involving stakeholders, and in-depth interviews with herbal experts. The study found that there are two private vegetables and herbal gardens and one public area suitable for tourism sites. Thirty-three species of herbs are used for cooking, 17 species of herbs are used for curing disease, and 5 healthy food menus use local herbs as ingredients. We found that the area should be developed as a tourism destination for visitors to learn more about herbal species and herbal properties and to cure diseases using herbs.