To explore the destination images of Thailand as a tourist destination from the point of view of Swedish Generation X tourists in Västerås by examining their satisfaction/dissatisfaction and behavioral intentions after traveling to Thailand. To test the theoretical DI formation and interrelationships of those components. A qualitative research approach with in-depth interviews to collect empirical date derived from respondents’ first-hand experiences. Destination Image Theory was used as a background and Content Analysis Approach was used to analyze data.  Thailand was perceived positive and negative by Swedish generation X tourists in Västerås. They were satisfied with their stay at Thailand. After traveling to Thailand, most of them would like to revisit Thailand, but few of them want to travel to new destination. All of them are willing to tell friends or relatives about their experiences in Thailand.

This research investigates volunteer tourists’ motivations and on-site experiences, alongside hosts’ attitudes towards volunteer tourists at the Home and Life orphanage in Phang Nga province, Thailand. An interpretive paradigm utilising qualitative data collection methods (semi-structured interviews, a focus group, participant observation and diaries) was adopted. The informants included twenty-four volunteer tourists, on a working vacation at the Home and Life orphanage between 1stJuly and 30th September 2011, and twenty hosts from Thai Muang subdistrict. The findings of the research suggest that the volunteer tourists’ motivations and on-site experiences are multidimensional. Five main themes of motivations have been identified: (i) to help the children who were affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami; (ii) to gain personal development and growth; (iii) to gain new experiences; (iv) to learn about/be immersed in local culture; and (v) to meet and make friends. Amongst these, a desire to help the children was the most dominant motivational factor, which was strongly influenced the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. In terms of the volunteer tourists’ on-site experiences, four experiential dimensions were found: (i) personal development and growth; (ii) social; (iii) cultural; and (iv) feeling. The study suggests that the children had played a significant role in making the volunteer tourists’ experience a beneficial one because they were an important source for cultural learning and their lives had taught a number of things to the volunteer tourists. This research also investigates hosts’ attitudes towards the volunteer tourists. It was found that they had very positive attitudes towards the volunteer tourists, based upon two main factors: the volunteer tourists’ conduct and performance; and the perceived benefits they gained from the work of these tourists. The opportunity for the children to study English with English native speakers was cited as the most significant benefit. However, the hosts also had concerns about some aspects of the volunteer tourists’ behaviour and perceived underperformance, which were found to be mainly the result of cultural differences. Additionally, interactions and relationships between volunteer tourists and hosts were also examined by using social exchange theory. The study suggests that the interactions were reciprocal, and that both the volunteer tourists and the hosts enjoyed satisfactory benefits from one another: the volunteer tourist had a desired experience, and the hosts gained benefits from the work of the volunteer tourists.

This research aims to evaluate the use of tourism as a tool for poverty reduction in Bulon Island, Satun Province, Thailand. It focuses on local people’s perceptions of poverty and how tourism may be used to improve their livelihoods. It also critically evaluates the barriers to local people to participating in the tourism industry and how these may be overcome. An interpretive paradigm supported by the use of qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus groups has been adopted. Thirty-six local people participated in the research and two focus groups were conducted. The collected data was evaluated through thematic analysis to categorise the emergent key themes. The research findings are subsequently presented according to three main themes that emerged from the data. The first is local peoples’ perceptions of poverty focus on their ability to be self-sufficient rather than defining poverty solely as a measure of deficient income. Secondly, it is evident that local people benefit from tourism in terms of employment opportunities, which are important for supplementing work in the seasonal fishing industry. The creation of employment opportunities and an opportunity to earn income especially have direct benefits for local women, making them more independent and empowering them. The final iv thematic finding identifies the barriers to local participation in tourism, which centre upon deficiencies in financial, human and social capital. Recommendations are subsequently made on how to overcome these barriers and enhance the use of tourism for poverty reduction and alleviation in Bulon. Actions include capacity building and the establishment and strengthening of stakeholder partnerships.

The most important target of this diploma thesis is to point out opportunities and threats for Czech enterpreneurs especially in the territory of tourism. The thesis contains definitions of: entrepreneurial environment, negotiation strategy and tactics. The thesis includes SWOT analysis of the entrepreneurial environment of Thailand and the environment in the area of tourism.

This thesis deals with an analysis and comparison of tourism within Thailand and Lao PDR. The paper discusses global tourism trends with a special interest dedicated to southeast Asia. Based on studies of history, geography and government programmes of each individual country, conditions for conducting tourism activities were defined. History of tourism as well as develompent of individual destinations were concerned, too. The conclusion summarising present and future possibilities of travel industry in Thailand and Lao PDR also involves information about knowledge and personal approach of Czech public to both countries. The data were collected through an exploratory questionnaire. The next part offers a list of destinations provided by Czech and German travel agencies. Based on the list, an overview of available destinations provided by major Czech and German official mediators was created. One of the chapters also deals with legal conditions governing the rights for setting up a travel agency by non-residents.