Ecotourism as a means to support conservation efforts in Welu Wetland, Chantaburi, Thailand | |
| Author | Pakin Santanan |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-09-10 |
| Subject(s) | Ecotourism--Thailand--Chantaburi Wetland ecology--Thailand--Chantaburi |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources M anagement, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-09-10 |
| Abstract | This study was conduct ed to evaluate the potential for further development of ecotourism activities in Welu Wetland, Chanthaburi province, Thailand, its potential as a means to support conservation efforts, and its promise as a viable financial mechanism for sustaining the cons ervation efforts. A survey was conducted using questionnaires and semi - structured interviews with three focal respondent groups consisting 97 members of the local community, 100 of tourists, and 10 staff members of the Mangrove Resources Development Statio n II or Ta Sorn Learning Center. The descriptive statistical analysis was used in this study in order to determine the willingness to accept and participate in the ecotourism activities by the local community and staff members, satisfaction of the current activities, and tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP). WTP and entrance fee were determined using the travel cost method and contingent valuation method. The SWOT analysis was employed to evaluate the current ecotourism activities, its constraints, and its po tentials. The results showed that 61.9% of the respondents from the local community were willing to contribute their supports to the ecotourism activities. Among this group, 83.3% stated that their main goal is to improve the environmental condition. Mean while, more than 50% of the respondents from local community and staff members agreed with the idea of collecting the entrance fee; while 32.7% respondents of the local community suggested a maximum of 10 baht, 37.5% staff members suggested an entrance fee of 20 baht. The results also showed that 78% of tourists are willing to pay for the environment - related recreational services. While the reasonable fee should be collected from the tourists are ranging between 20 - 30 baht. The travel cost analysis showed that average expenditure to visit Welu wetland was 765 baht per person with mostly of the visitors came from Bangkok. There was a high correlation (P<0.01) between the other place visited before coming to Welu wetland. The latter indicates that Welu wetlan d is included as one of many destinations during tourists travel plans. Regarding capacity building, 70, 81.3 and 65.8% of staff members, respondent of the local community, and the tourist respondents, respectively, suggested the training program should be focused on ecotourism. Training on site management was suggested by 60% of staff members, 31.3% of the respondent of the local community and 71.1% tourists From the study, the results showed that natural resources area widely available in Welu Wetland, local community is equipped waiting only for more approach into, and the public involvement is going to be promoted intensively. The respondents are highly satisfied with the overall performances, while the local and staffs are highly satisfied with this initiative, yet, they prefer better management system in order to effectively use ecotourism as a mean to support conservation efforts in Welu Wetland. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-09-10 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Gallardo, Wenresti |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | RTG Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |