Krabi adopts ecotourism

KRABI, 7  September 2012: Krabi, a southern resort destination on the Andaman Sea coast, needs to demonstrate caution in adopting the right tourism model and learn from the mistakes of popular destinations, the deputy governor told travel agents attending a seminar earlier this week.

Speaking at an Association of Thai Travel Agents seminar, AEC 2015: Opportunity or Threat for Krabi Tourism, Sunday, Krabi deputy governor, Weera Chantaratipparak, said the province had to fully embrace ecotourism to distinguish it from major destinations such as Phuket and Pattaya.

“Due to its abundance of land and marine natural resources, the province can become a nature and ecotourism destination. However, we have to be wary as we can see the how tourism impacted on Pattaya, Phuket and Samui and caused serious damage to culture and environment.”

“If we adopt fully a commercial tourism model without direction or controls, the influx of business and tourism will damage the province socially, destroy culture and compromise our environment,” he told agents at the seminar

The deputy governor called on tour operators and related tourism handlers to be responsible and accept that Krabi province must safeguard its nature and resources and they should gear their tour programmes accordingly.

Association of Domestic Travel president, Yutthachai Soonthronrattanavate, said although Krabi is a fast becoming a must-see destination for international travellers it attracts only 15% of all domestic travel.

“Krabi, Phuket and Samui are popular  with foreigners but Krabi’s appeal for domestic travel is much lower.”

Mr Yutthachai suggested that to welcome Thais the province needs to expand transportation and improve airline services and road links.

“There has to be more airline services and the province must recognise the need to attract airlines to the airport through incentives.”

Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said convenience, hygiene and safety were  key factors to develop the province’s tourism particularly as ASEAN markets open up.

“Besides the airport and hotels that are in a good shape, convenience, hygiene and safety needs to be addressed.”

ATTA’s president also said that Krabi should promote itself as a standalone destination not as an add-on destination linked to a visit to Phuket.

On average, there are around 2.3 million arrivals to Krabi yearly. Of that, 1.2 million are Thais and 1.1 million foreigners, mainly from Scandinavia during the months November through to February.

Sourced: ttrweekly