ENHANCING ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT BASED ON LOCAL RESOURCES TOWARDS THE HIGH VALUE CREATIVE ECONOMY OF KOH LAN COMMUNITY, CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was aimed to 1) studying and evaluating flora species in the forest ecosystem on Ko Lan Island in order to develop the Ko Lan area to become an ecotourism destination for the Ko Lan Island community in Chon Buri province; 2) studying the readiness of the community and the demands of the tourists towards ecotourism in the areas of Ko Lan Island in Chon Buri province; and 3) elevating ecotourism management based on local resources to become a creative economy and a high-value community in Ko Lan in Chonburi province.

   This research employed a mixed-methods research design between quantitative and qualitative research. The field study was conducted in Ko Lan community areas. The sample group was 385, as the exact population size was unknown, but it was believed to be large numbers of the population. Therefore, the study was to estimate the proportions of the population groups with 95% confidence with an error of 5%, leading to five sample groups as key informants to provide qualitative information. Moreover, research tools in this study included a survey form for examining tourism resources, an in-depth interview, an ecotourism quality standard assessment form, and questionnaires used for assessing and evaluating the quality standards of ecotourism sites. Furthermore, these questionnaires were utilized for analyzing qualitative research information that was analyzed by using Content Analysis to analyze flora species assessment, and quantitative analysis was performed using statistical package programs for human and social science. A preliminary survey of natural paths on Khao Sangwan and Khao Nom Sao revealed that the forestry condition manifested as dwarf deciduous forest. The flora species found in this area were standing trees such as Gardenia sootepensis Hutch; a group of shrubs such as Cratoxylum formosum subsp. and Pruniflorum (Kurz) Gogelein; and a group of herbaceous plants such as Stemona phyllantha Gagnep. The result of the study of ecotourism sites before development process as participation of Ko Lan community in Chon Bury revealed that it has overall quality standard at good level with the scores from assessment equal to 64 points or 64 percent. The result of assessment after passing through development process as participation for 10 consecutive months, it was found that the overall quality standard was at very good level, by showing assessment scores at 76 or 76%. The research team would like to recommend the guidelines in elavate ecotourism management based on local resources by using BCG model, heading to creative economy with maximum values for the Ko Lan community in ChonBuri province, as follows: 1) the guidelines for establishing a database of flora species to enhance knowledge as well as elevate the significance of ecotourism sites on the basis of local resources to be aligned with the G-Green Economy to promote sustainable ecotourism for long-term sustainability; 2) the guidelines for developing economic activities on the basis of using cultural assets from nature, together with creative ideas or technology responsible for creating creative products and ecotourism activities that can create added value as commercial activities based on the concept of C-Circular Economy. In this condition, it is necessary for ecotourism sites to be systematically planned; and 3) the guidelines of process development and the participation of the community influenced the operating activities in the development of ecotourism in the community in accordance with C-Circular Economy, which includes deriving consistent benefits from the development initiatives.