| SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, by Lisa Jones |
The island of Phra Thong and the
surrounding areas are been under
pressure from tourism development;
the region is becoming heavily
visited, but tourism on Phra Thong
has managed to remain at a low
level. However, during the course of
the eight seasons of conservation
research conducted on the island the
threats to the island ecology have
been building to a level that
warranted a further understanding
beyond the sea turtle populations
and habitats.
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In 2002, the study of the
impact of tourism on Phra
Thong was conducted and led
to a number of materials for
use on the island. A series
of materials were created to
provide information to
visitors:
-
Leaflets for
'Low impact
visitors to
the island'
-
Conservation
and
eco-tourism
information
for visitors
-
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By Jessica Moreillon |
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Canoing in the Tidal Creek.
Photo by Carla Sommers
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The main tourist attraction
in the area is Surin Islands
National Park which has a
pristine coral reef, popular
with snorkelling tours and
day trips, and has a
population of indigenous sea
gypsies whose culture and
lifestyle is threatened.
Through our research we
discovered an ongoing
problem of poor
environmental management by
boat operators to Surin, and
to try to combat the
increasing deterioration to
the coral reef ecosystem we
conducted some training to
the boat drivers that were
regularly visiting the park.
A straight forward list of
do's and don'ts were written
and illustrated with
drawings of poor practice
and good practice.
(Boat Drivers Handbook
available writing to naucrates12@tiscalinet.it)
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A new threat to Phra Thong Island
has manifested itself during the
last few years and today the island
faces a future of government
controlled national park, which will
undoubtedly bring increased
visitation and pressure to the
fragile area.
This is not even taking into account
the local people whose livelihoods
are connected to the sea and natural
resources.
The initial tourism research
objectives from the study in 2002
are shown below
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OBJECTIVES OF TOURISM AND
CONSERVATION RESEARCH
Koh Phra Thong, Thailand - 2002 |
TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT |
- Identify negative impacts on
Golden Buddha Beach resort and Koh
Phra Thong |
- Seek public opinion |
- Remove/minimise unacceptable
impacts |
- Identify remaining risks to the
environment of Koh Phra Thong |
- Assess the 'Eco tourist' resort of
Golden Buddha Beach for its
commitment to the environment. |
Methodology |
Turtle releasing at Phra Thong Island.
.Photo By Carla Sommers
|
Visitor survey conducted to
ascertain the potential and real
threats caused by rising visitor
number |
Stakeholder analysis - to understand
their strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threat |
Impact Assessment on visitor tours
on the Phra Thong Island |
Research results obtained during this
period |
Environment pressure |
Development continues with no
planning in relation to the
management of the environment. This
puts pressure on existing
development and could jeopardise the
future of plans for new
developments. A lack of management
systems (such as environmental
guidelines or monitoring) and
understanding of the real and
potential impacts of tourism has
been the result.
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Visitor demands |
During the high season (December to
February) there are times when there
are more visitors than the available
facilities can handle.
|
Environmental and ecological information |
There is a lack of communication
methods for visitors in obtaining
information on the nature and other
basic data, which causes a lack of
knowledge and understanding, as well
as tourism awareness among visitors.
Lack of active participation with
visitors shows a significant flaw in
the essential principles of eco
tourism.
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Waste management |
Rubbish and waste continues to mount
with no provisioning for adequate
management. Removing one problem in
Thailand invariably creates another
one elsewhere. But because it is out
of sight, it seems to be that this
is enough. No thought is given to
what happens to waste after it goes
into the garbage. Over use in
plastic bags and bottles is the
biggest issue.
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Research plan for the next season |
By Jessica Moreillon |
Publish report |
Create a series of manuals to
compliment findings and encourage
effective chang |
Train staff and establish simple
environmental and ecologically
sustainable guidelines for the
resort |
Work with other tourism operators in
the local area |
Problems and needs |
Problem: |
Marine turtle nesting beaches are
increasingly being degraded by
coastal development activities and
pollution. The habitat destruction
is one of the main threats to marine
turtle survival. Tourist development
on the island is still limited to a
small resort, which does not affect
turtle nesting behaviour, but a new
resort is going to be built soon and
other hotel companies have already
planned development on the island.
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Need: |
Phra Thong, Ra and Kho Khao should
be designed as a co-managed
protected area: in particular a
marine turtle sanctuary should be
created along the south west coast
of Thailand.
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Update |
The tourism development is pressing
from the island of Phuket to the
north. The Tourism Authority
Thailand is promoting tourism in the
Phang Nga province, including Phra
Thong Island. In April 2002
construction work started in two
different places on the beach. Two
new resorts will be built soon.
Conservation awareness is essential
in order to find a way on how to
manage the development on the
island. Collaboration with other
developers is essential to combat
any threat posed by further tourism
on the island of Phra Thong.
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