Community-based Ecotourism Management Tha Khanon Subdistrict, Khiri Rat Nikhom District Suratthani Province

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to study:1) current conditions and problems of ecotourism management by Tha Khanon community,2) sustainable ecotourism management process by Tha Khanon community, Khiri Rat Nikhom District, Suratthani Province. It is a qualitative research, conducted during the period from June 2019 to September 2020.Twenty-one research subjects were collected from interviews and focus group discussion. The data was analyzed by content analysis method, and the information was presented in a descriptive way. The research results were as follows:

1. Current conditions and problems of ecotourism management by the Tha Khanon sub-district were found in 5 areas as follows: 1) Tourist service, it was found that the villagers gathered to form an ecotourism group at Baan Yuan Sao; for travel services, the highlight of Hin Chang, Hin Phad, Yuan Waterfall, the disadvantage of the service is that it is still not enough, 2) In the management of accommodation, highlights: houses and homestays are available for affordable, clean and standard accommodation, in the morning, tourists can see the sea of ​​fogs, but the disadvantage is that there are not enough houses / homestays,3) Restaurants - souvenirs, the highlight is that there are local dishes that recommend delicious taste, and souvenirs are not in a variety,4) Shuttle bus service, the highlight of the focus is on safety, driving well, and generosity, but the disadvantage is that the driver is still not enough,5) Tour guide, the highlight is to recommend good tourist information and have good interpersonal relationships, whereas the disadvantage is the lack of knowledge of English and the guides are not enough yet.


2. Sustainable ecotourism management process by Tha Khanon sub-district community in 5 areas as follows: 1) Income distribution, it was found that income distribution to the grassroots economy was good, 2)Employment and income generation, it was found that villagers had more income and more job employment,3) Reduction of poverty in the community, it was found that the villagers have better economic status, enough to live and consume,  4) Tourists and Community lifestyles, it was found that the tourists had understood and learned about the way of life of the community in terms of 4 basic factors,  nature, animals, and the environment, and 5) Participation of people in the community in which Tha Khanon sub-district communities jointly think, plan, perform, take responsibility, and  benefit from sustainable ecotourism management.