Author: Rungrawee Jitpakdee
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss. no.RD-11-05
Year: 2011
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2011
Examination Committee: Gopal B. Thapa (Chairperson); Soparth Pongquan, Roland Cochard, David Bruce Weaver(Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: This study examined the sustainability of ecotourism on Yao Noi Island based on twelve indicators covering environmental, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. Information required for this study was collected through primary and secondary sources. Primary information was collected mainly through the survey of 178 households using a structured questionnaire and participatory appraisal methods. The key informants interviews provided qualitative information on the effect of sustainable ecotourism on environmental, economic and social arenas, and on the local institutional arrangements made for promotion of ecotourism. Supplementary secondary information was collected from relevant government agencies, books and journal articles. The findings of this study revealed that the natural and environmental resources that attracted tourists undergoing degradation, though the rate of degradation varies from one resource to another. Some local efforts have been made locally to manage solid waste and sewage so as to keep the island neat and clean, and to conserve natural resources such as the mangroves and coral reefs. Several community based organizations, government agencies and non-government organizations had carried out community awareness creation and relevant management activities for sustainable conservation of environmental and natural resources. However, these efforts have not been effective for several institutional and non-institutional reasons. The on-going degradation of environmental and natural resources has threatened the sustainability of ecotourism on the Yao Noi Island. As ecotourism has been the main livelihood of more than 50% of the islanders, further damage inflicted on it is going to severely hurt those people. As expected, ecotourism has generated substantial direct and indirect employment and income opportunities for the local people. The majority of local people across all income brackets have benefited from the employment and income oppo1tunities generated by ecotourism as reflected in nearly 50
Scholarship Donor(s): Walailak University/ Commission of Higher Education, Thailand
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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