Guidelines for Physical Environment and Facilities to Serve Elderly Tourists in Riverside Bungalows: A Case Study of Samut Songkhram Province

Samut Songkhram province has a policy to promote and upgrade conservation and tourism through a focus on cultural community, health, and elderly tourism. Therefore, it prioritizes enhancing the tourism infrastructure by renovating and upgrading existing accommodations to be suitable for elderly people, thereby improving and increasing the value of tourism. This research aims to study the readiness and preparation of tourism entrepreneurs in Samut Songkhram Province to meet the needs of elderly tourists and to propose design guidelines for managing the physical environment and amenities in the tourist accommodations. In addition, the study analyzes the costs of riverside bungalow renovation. This research collaborated with Samut Songkhram provincial government agencies and private entrepreneurs/ developers of riverside bungalows. The private sector stakeholders have the objective of upgrading their accommodations for senior tourists to support and promote this market segment in the provincial government tourism initiatives. The research method employs purposive sampling in field surveys and administration of questionnaires to obtain information about hotels and accommodations for ten riverside bungalow resorts. The evaluation is based on the legal requirements for provision of facilities that accommodate the disabled and elderly (Universal Design), as established in 2005 and 2021, under the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) standards set by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and disease prevention and control measures by the Ministry of Public Health for riverside hotels and accommodations. The findings reveal that most riverside bungalows participating in the study lack facilities for elderly tourists, such as emergency call signals in bedrooms and bathrooms, handrails at doors, and handrails in bathrooms for support. Therefore, the research proposes two categories for room improvement: rooms accessible by wheelchair and rooms not accessible by wheelchair, which are suitable only for elderly guests who use a cane or can walk independently. The study also includes an analysis of the cost estimations for improving elderly tourist rooms in riverside bungalows. The aim is to assist private entrepreneurs/developers and relevant agencies in applying these environmental management guidelines. This will raise awareness of the importance of Universal Design through a suitable and safe environment for older people, enhance standards, and increase tourism revenue in Samut Songkhram Province.