Tourism and Poverty Reduction: The Effect of Tourism on the Livelihood of Local People on Bulon Island, Satun Province, Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to investigate local people’s perceptions of poverty and how tourism may be used to improve their livelihoods. It also identifies the barriers that prevent local people from participating in the tourism industry and creates strategies to overcome them. An interpretive paradigm supported by the use of qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, participant observation and focus groups has been adopted. The data obtained was analyzed by the use of thematic analysis to categorise the emergent key themes. The findings show that poverty, as perceived by local people, is related to the concept of be sufficient rather than the sole effect of deficient income. In addition, it is evident that local people benefit from tourism in terms of employment opportunities, which are important for supplementing work in the seasonal fishing industry. The creation of employment opportunities and an opportunity to earn income especially are beneficial to local women in strengthening their financial status and making them more independent. .  The final theme emerging from the data is that factors such as deficiencies in finance and human and social capital bar the local from participation in tourism. Strategies to overcome and increasing local participation are enhance the use of tourism for poverty reduction and alleviation in Bulon. Actions including capacity building and the establishment and strengthening of stakeholder partnerships should be taken