Tourism and Biodiversity - UNWTO completes Key Projects in Thailand

06.12.2009

The UNWTO, through its Consulting Unit on Tourism and Biodiversity has completed a biodiversity based, community centered tourism development project in Phang Nga Province, Thailand. The project included government, regional, and local stakeholders in cooperative tourism planning. Tourism Management Plans were developed as tools to help local communities identify common visions and tourism products in support of sustainable development of the region. Financial gains for local communities are anticipated along with the conservation of biodiversity and coastal ecosystems, which are vital safeguards against natural disasters such as tsunamis. Ten model products were achieved by working with stakeholders who set up locally run tourism businesses that showcase the natural beauty of the area and educate tourists and locals about the importance of healthy ecosystems.

The Consulting Unit’s work is based on the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). These guidelines offer a management framework that seeks to conserve and sustainably use an areas’ biodiversity by focusing the attention of tourism on the importance and beauty of healthy ecosystems. An important aspect is the recognition that cultural diversity is an integral component of ecosystems.

Providing tourism model products
Altogether ten tourism model products have been initially funded by UNWTO in the two project sites. They have been developed and implemented together with local entrepreneurs and other stakeholders according to a jointly developed Tourism Management Plan (TMP).

The TMP planning process included the formation of provincial and local working groups that identified socio-cultural and ecological strengths and weaknesses of the tourism areas. The tourism products were designed to eliminate the areas’ weaknesses and to build upon and benefit from its strengths.

Ensuring grassroots development
In order to constantly ensure the smooth progress of the project and the continuous contribution of stakeholders from all levels and backgrounds, a community involvement plan (CIP) as well as a communication strategy (CS) were elaborated and disseminated. A participatory approach ensured communication and cooperation between stakeholders. The early involvement of all stakeholders aimed to achieve the acknowledgement of ownership of the project by local authorities and stakeholders – and thus the long-term viability of the project results.

“We are happy about the project that we developed together with the UNWTO because we can participate in and benefit more from tourism in our area. It is important, because we learned how to plan and implement such a tourism project. We hope to continue with follow-up projects in the near future on our own’ said Chuan Sripanang, head of the local fisherman group, community of Tablamu.

A prototype for the future
The two year project is a prototype model, the structure of which can be reused to increase the implementation of the CBD guidelines in tourism development and bring financial and ecosystem benefits and security to communities in tourist destinations worldwide. The Consulting Unit has also just completed a similar project in Pangandaran, Indonesia. It will continue to advise Member States of UNWTO on issues related to the sustainable use of biodiversity through and for tourism.

“I am glad that the Thai people could demonstrate that conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity for tourism must not contradict one another. The forthcoming International Year of Biological Diversity in 2010 challenges the tourism sector. I am positive that this Thai experience can guide us on our way to maintaining our Nature,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO.

The project was initiated by the UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) in Thailand. Other partners were local governments including Phang Nga Tourism and Sports (PNTS), the Hat Tai Muang-Lam Kaen National Park as well as the sub-district administrative organizations (TAOs) in the model sites of Tai Muang and on Koh Kho Khao. The local NGO Kenan Institute Asia (K.I.Asia), together with local experts and guidance from the UNWTO, helped developing the Tourism Management Plans.

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