Local Participation in Potential Development of Eco-tourism Management at Ko Yo and Nam Noi Subdistricts in Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study; 1) The potential of community participation in developing eco-tourism management in Songkhla Province, 2) The approach studied the relative importance of factors that affect community participation and decision-making of tourists about eco-tourism routes through Songkhla Province.3) The Guidelines in the development of ecotourism management in Songkhla Province. Questionnaires and
in-depth interviews were conducted with 420 randomly sampled individuals resident in Ko Yo and Nam Noi sub-districtsof Songkhla province, 150 tourists who visited Songkhla province, and 15 community leaders and others engaged in tourism management from both the private and public sectors. Analysis of percentages, means and standard deviations indicated that 1) Community participation in the development of ecotourism management in Songkhla Province was generally at a moderate level, 2) The tourists showed a high level of attention to their decision-making about eco-tourism in Ko Yo and Nam Noi sub-districts, 3) Community participation is currently insufficient for the community-based eco-tourism model to be sustainable in the absence of local government and private sector groups with specific management responsibilities for ecotourism.
It was concluded that guidelines are required for the development of the unrealized potential of ecotourism management in Songkhla province that involves community stakeholders in order to plan, implement and monitor the sector to ensure equitable benefits. The results of this research can inform community research and government agencies in the development of policy from which guidelines can be developed.