An NGO revealed a survey of 69% of tourists choosing to join an eco-tourism trip. Recommend creating community stories as a selling point
Mr Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPA), revealed that the FTP has studied the trend of sustainable tourism (Sustainable Tourism) and found that there is a tendency to continuously increase. Following the results of the 2022 Sustainable Travel Study by Expedia Group and Wakefield Research, 11,000 travelers aged 18 and over from 11 countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, India, China and Japan, it was found that 90% of travelers are looking for a trip that reduces their environmental impact, 69% of travelers want to support the community economy, and 66% of travelers are interested in local and community culture up to 65 %
“From such a sustainable tourism growth trend. This is an opportunity to drive sustainable tourism in Thailand. by community enterprises in the tourism sector in Thailand It has the strength of vast natural resources. tradition Culture and a valuable long life for succession Highlights should be brought to tell a story (Story Telling), which will be a tool to create interest and make the destination known. It also helps to add economic value to the area and the community. And it should be adapted to sustainable tourism, for example taking into account the impact on the environment. to create long-term sustainability by adopting the BCG economic model for use in tourism activities Respond to tourism behaviours, values and trends that focus on sustainability. This is an opportunity to generate income from tourism for the community. Including having to organize a travel program to please the Baby Boomer group of tourists as well as public relations. and create opportunities to reach targeted tourists to make money Employment in the community and upgrade the community economy or the grassroots economy,” said Mr Poonpong.
Mr Poonpong said that this year FTI carried out a project to study ways to upgrade community enterprise development under the BCG economic model, after conducting detailed interviews and gathering information about community enterprises under the BCG economic model in four regions. northern, central, southern and north-eastern regions Conducted in-depth interviews with 20 community enterprise groups, in the product and service sectors. which successfully applied the concept of sustainability, such as Laem Sak Community Tourism Enterprise Krabi Province It is a community enterprise in tourism services that has 3 sea territories and 3 cultures: Thai Buddhist, Thai Muslim and Thai of Chinese descent. (Baba Naya) eco-tourism activities (Eco Tourism) with a route for tourism close to nature. Come and see the way of life of the fishing community Take a boat ride to see the sea and the caves. along with providing conservation information and taking care of coastal resources Including cultural tourism (Cultural Tourism) which allows tourists to pay homage to sacred things in the community (Chinese temples, shrines), batik painting activities And there are homes for tourists to stay in .In addition, environmental effects are considered. with waste separation in the community And encouraging tourists to support the purchase of carbon credits for the community to offset carbon emissions (CO2) caused by tourism activities within the community as well.
Mr Poonpong continued the Phuket Old Town Tourism Community Initiative It is a group of tourism services to learn community culture (local experience) There are cultural tourism activities such as visiting old houses with traditional architecture. “Sino-European” activities for tourists to make Ang Ku desserts Hokkien noodle making activity which is the local food of the Phuket Old Town community and BCG’s economic model has been applied to community enterprises. with the peak of the green economy (Green Economy) through low carbon tourism By collecting data on greenhouse gas emission points along the tourism route. and planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at different times AND providing carbon credits to offset them. In addition, there are voluntary carbon offset contribution boxes for tourists to give to offset carbon emissions. Create participation and raise awareness of the impact on the environment for tourists.
” The modern consumer trend focuses on production and consumption that will affect nature. As a result, shopping behavior has changed. The production of goods and services under the BCG concept will meet the needs of modern consumers who are health conscious, safe and environmentally friendly BCG’s economic model is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in line with the principles of the Sufficient Economy Philosophy (SEP), which is the key to sustainable economic and social development in Thailand,” said Poonpong.
