Efficiency and Effectiveness of Environmental Health Management Model Towards New Normal Healthy Tourism City

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental health management model toward new normal healthy tourism city, developed by the Department of Health in 2022. The purpose of the model is to provide appropriate and adaptive environmental health management practices for tourist destinations in line with new lifestyle norms and national safety standards. A mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research, was employed in two key tourist destinations: Pattaya City in Chonburi Province and Koh Chang Subdistrict Municipality in Trat Province. The study population was categorized into three main groups: 1. business establishments, including accommodations (hotels), food establishments (fresh markets, flea markets, and restaurants), and tourist attractions (spas/health massage services and beaches) 2. executives and environmental health officers of local administrative organizations 3. tourists in the study areas. Research instruments consisted of two main components: 1. the Healthy Tourism City Standard Assessment Form, which was validated by experts using the Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) 2. a user satisfaction survey on environmental health management in business establishments. The research findings revealed that Pattaya City demonstrated good efficiency and effectiveness in all dimensions under the model. Key factors contributing most to effectiveness included safety and health promotion management for accommodations (27.30%), hygiene of utensils and equipment for food establishments (35.80%), safety measures for spas/health massage services (30.53%), and operational measures for beachside businesses (21.20%). In contrast, Koh Chang Subdistrict Municipality showed basic-level efficiency and moderate effectiveness. The highest contributing factors to effectiveness included safety and health promotion management for accommodations (53.90%), personal hygiene of food handlers for food establishments (61.50%), safety measures for spas/health massage services (34.00%), and sanitation measures for beach attractions (13.60%). In the survey on user satisfaction regarding environmental health management across all three dimensions, both Pattaya City and Koh Chang Subdistrict Municipality were rated at a good level. The study concludes that the environmental health management model toward new normal healthy tourism city is both efficient and effective, providing tourists with a sense of safety. It is recommended that this model be applied as a framework for the development of healthy and sustainable tourism cities in Thailand, ensuring well-being for both residents and visitors.