1. Ecotourism and Environmental Education : Opportunities and Constraints for Sustainability. Case study in Phuket Island, Thailand. By Mr.Aphirom PROMCHANYA Prof.Jean-Louis CACCOMO Prince of Songkla University, Thailand Perpignan University, France

2. This research dedicated to tsunami in Baan Bang Rong Village, Phuket Island. 26 December 2004 Time 8:36 a.m.

3. Introduction Tourism can bring both benefits and problems to an area. If well planned, developed and managed. Tourism generates local jobs and income and provides opportunities for local community. If not well planned, developed and managed, Tourism can result in congestion, pollution and environmental problems.

4. Since the publication of the Bruntland Report in 1987, the “Sustainable Development” concept has made some steps. Even though it is ambiguous, one try to find ways to realize it. Because of its dependency on natural ecosystem and the importance of the tourism market. Many researchers look towards “Ecotourism”.

5. Sustainable Tourism Nature-Based Tourism ECOTOURISM Environmental Education

6. Ecotourism and Environmental Education in Thailand recommended: –To foster clear awareness of, and concern about, economic, social, political and ecological. –To provide with opportunities the knowledge, values, attitudes, commitment and skills needed to protect and improve the environment –To create new patterns of behaviour of individuals, groups and society as a whole toward the environment.

7. Research objectives To describe patterns and trends in environmental education and interpretation practice in the nature based tourism industry. Establish and evaluate the ecotourism activities responses to sustainable development. To determine changes in levels of knowledge, environmental awareness and commitment as a result of a nature based tour in Thailand.

8. Scope of the study The purpose of this research is to examine critically the management practices, problems and challenges faced by ecotourist attractions located on Phuket Island in Thailand which is a private organization, is a large integrated ecotourism-based resort located on the Phuket island. Baan Bang Rong Mangroves forest Reserve, a public enterprise located in Amphoe Talang (the district of Phuket).

9. Mainly area research Ecotourism in Bang Rong Village Phuket, Thailand.

10. People Involved in Tourism Development Many year ago, people trespassed into the mangrove forest and cut the trees for making house and charcoal. A lot of them fished with harmful tools which decreased the number of marine life and destroyed the ecological balance.

11. Nowadays some of these problems have been solved by the strong cooperation of all sectors but there are still new problems raised by tourism and natural crisis. TSUNAMI Before After

12. The Thai governors push tourism business into provincial development strategies in order to earn the maximum income. Development plans are submitted by local authorities and if considered useful, they will be approved to be in those strategies.

13. The governors do not work alone but in cooperation with public and private sectors for example: Tourism Business Association Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Department of Fishery National Park and Prince Of Songkla University, Phuket Campus

14. Case study in Baan Bang Rong Mangrove Forest Reserve. From the interviews with local committee, we learned about roles in tourism development especially in the area of intensive tourism activities where tourist attractions, accommodation, agencies, shopping areas and pier located.

15. Due to plan and management, the environment is at risk. Baan Bang Rong has its own pier in mangrove forest where tourist can take a boat out for any islands or into the forests and canals for ECOTOURISM.

16. There are a lot of houses and properties, golf course and hotel projects and in next 5-10 years the lifestyle of the village is expected to change. As a regulation authority; Sub-district Administrative Organization (Or.Bor.Tor) must work very hard to satisfy everyone in a proper way.

17. Concepts of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) The term “Sustainable development” was adopted by the Brutland Commission as the key concept behind 1987 report, Our Common Future. “that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987, p.8)

18. Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is defined by the Commonwealth of Australia 1992,p.6 …using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total of life, now and in the future, can be increased.

19. Environmental Education for Sustainability. The purpose of analysis is to develop an appropriate theoretical approach to training for ESD which may be used for the development of training programs for ecotourism operators and guides. Ecotourism Training Program for community

20. The education component refers to learning about informed of the features of the environment. The visitors can also absorb this information according to their own interest by asking deeper questions or spending a longer time.

21. Example : Workshop Instructions Perceptions of Ecotourism Time 10 mins Materials required OHP and screen, OHT's on commonly used terms to describe ecotourism, marking pens, butchers paper, blue tack or drawing pens Specific objectives 1. To determine groups current perception of what is ecotourism. 2. To provide the presenter with necessary insight into the groups eco- consciousness to enable the presenter to determine at which level to begin discussions. Procedure 1. Ask the group to think about what they understand by the term "ecotourism". 2. Inform participants as to the intentions of the brainstorm; i.e. that of preparing a list of words and phrases that they currently believe the term ecotourism means, also that this session is not intended for a discussion of this list. 3. Record the groups' ideas on a piece of butchers paper. 4. If regarded as helpful for this group, present and discuss results of other brainstorming session as contained in the following notes. 5. Pin or blue tack the list in the workshop room for later referral.

22. Local participation is an important feature of ecotourism as it serves two purposes; 1.To elevate the negative pressure on the environment by local communities, 2.by providing them with an alternative source of income, and to distribute the revenue back to the local community.

23. We were extremely concerned with local participation within the limits of the carrying capacities as following: - Physical carrying capacity : number of tourist is not too much. - Ecological carrying capacity : is not to ruin the nature area sites. - Cultural carrying capacity : the tour program has to manage the participant of tourist to keep the activity real, not be a show.

24. The interpretation system for Ecotourists. Adapts from Hall and MacArthur, forthcoming

25. Product Formulation Resource Site selection criteria (access, resilience, location of the other facilities, characteristics, uniqueness, and representative) Visitor Profile Demographic and psychographic profile and understanding of heritage Theme Themes and concepts (number and complexity and Levels of information available (underlying messages, has it been done before?) Interpretive Delivery Technique Amount of information and level of difficulty in the presentation and Artwork, production and presentation Evaluation The visitor experience Condition of the resource

26. Conclusion Environmental Education in an Ecotourism should be mixture of education and entertainment to suit the clientele. It does not take much to convert an existing tourism program into a responsible, up to date environmental education one. The “in” and the “about” concepts are built upon; concern and responsibility increase because motivation and skills have increased. Values of conserving, the “for” will also increased.