The Effect of Small Particulate Matter on Tourism and Related SMEs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract

In northern Thailand, the problem of small particulate matter arises every year, with the primary source being agricultural-weed burning and wildfire. The tourism industry is strongly impacted and has been in the spotlight for the past few years. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of small particulate matter on tourism and related SMEs in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were collected from 286 entrepreneurs in the tourism and related SMEs sectors. The data were analyzed using data mining and association-rule techniques. The study revealed that small particulate matter has a considerable impact on customer factors, especially when the number of customers has decreased. Operational factors and product/service factors are also affected by the dust in the form of adjustments to keep the business running and the protection of the health of employees and customers. Certainly, financial factors are affected by the small particulate matter situation, both lower revenues and higher costs.