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Executive Summary

This paper will, firstly, introduce background and it aims. Secondly, it

focuses on case analysis and reviews of Koh Lanta Yai. Thirdly, it discusses the

concept of sustainable tourism development and identifies the issues. Fourthly, a

SWOT analysis will be evaluated in this master plan including TOWS matrix

analysis. Fifthly, it discusses the conclusion and provides suggestions for future

planning. Finally, this master plan will be recommended to provide a systematic

mechanism for enhancing regional cooperation in the region.

The study showed the current and future situation of tourism in Koh Lanta

Yai is criticized by SWOT analysis. Accordingly, in Koh Lanta Yai has a great

potential for tourist attraction. The strong points are outstanding nature, tri- cultural

diversity, great diversity of environments in a large territory, existence of valuable

natural areas that may be further enhanced in terms of enjoyment, and presence of

beach tourism in coastal areas that can be integrated with ecotourism.

Keywords: Sustainable tourism development, SWOT analysis, Ecotourism

  

CONTENTS

Page

Executive Summary………………………………………………………………...ii

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………1

Case Analysis/Reviews……………………………………………………………...2

Discussions/Evaluations…………………………………………………………….5

- Introduction……………………………………………………………....5

- Planning Principles for STD……………………………………………..5

- The concept of sustainable tourism development ……………………….5

- Identifying issues………………………………………………………...7

- SWOT analysis…………………………………………………………..9

- TOWS Matrix Analysis………………………………………………...11

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………13

Recommendation…………………………………………………………………..14

- Short-term (One-Year Action Plans)…………………………………...14

- Medium-term (Three-Year Action Plans)……………………………...15

- Long-term (Five-Year Action Plans)…………………………………..16

References…………………………………………………………………………17

Appendices………………………………………………………………………...19

  

Introduction

Koh Lanta Yai is located in Koh Lanta, district of Krabi province, Thailand.

Koh Lanta Yai has a permanent population of 9,245 and a seasonal population of

4,874. The population is 90% Muslim. The landscape is dominated by a series of

mountains covered with virgin rainforest. To the east features an old community. The

communities of Ban Sang Ka-u still maintain their traditional Loi Ruea Ceremony.

The traditional economy of fishing, coconut and rubber plantations, rice paddies,

prawn farming and fruit are now supplemented by growing tourism. For long a

popular haunt of backpackers, the tourist facilities have expanded and now offer a

wide range of accommodation. Almost all the resorts are small and most are family

run. Most are built using natural, ecological materials and blend well into their

surroundings, as tree cutting is strongly restricted in the park. (TAT, 2011).

The critical evaluations of a master plan for Koh Lanta Yai that

Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok and the University of California, Berkeley had

done for July 2007. In the present, their better management practices must be

implemented immediately to protect the island’s resources constitute a serious threat

or not.

The aim of this paper is to deep understand on a master plan selected with

comprehensive summary and reviews. To discuss and criticize on a master plan with

creative ideas, existing issues and future challenges. To recommend short-term,

medium- term and long-term in a master plan with clear and sensible action.

2  

Case analysis and Reviews

In this master planning process, the graduate students from Chulalongkorn

University and the University of California, Berkeley initially met in Bangkok for a

series of expert debriefings, and then formulated a plan to assess the conditions of the

Koh Lanta Yai island where located in the southern Thailand province of Krabi.

The students arranged themselves into three groups to conduct the field

research and analysis:

- Ecology/Environment

- Infrastructure/Technology

- Economic-Social-Cultural-Political/ Legal- Ethical

Ecology / Environment

They divided it into two sections that are 1) Current Land Uses 2)

Development Trends as following:

1) Current Land Uses

Current land uses for Koh Lanta Yai are diverse, ranging from highly

developed resort areas to pristine rainforests. These uses include plantations,

shrimp farms, forest areas, cleared but undeveloped areas, mangroves, beaches,

national park area, a dump site, and developed areas for local and tourist use.

2) Development Trends

Developed areas on the island are scattered along the coast. Most tourist

facilities are located on the west coast, in close proximity to the island’s best beaches.

The character of tourist areas and local areas is significantly different. A glance at

3  

Koh Lanta Yai reveals a drastic discordance between scale and design of facilities for

tourists versus those used by the local population. The primary focus of the ecology

group was to assess the current ecosystem health of the island and determine best

management practices to sustain local ecology as part of a tourism development

strategy.

Infrastructure/Technology

The Infrastructure group focused on assessing four areas of the island’s

infrastructure: roads, transportation (including the ferry connection and proposed

bridge), water resources, and solid waste management. The roads and transportation

systems were evaluated for their effectiveness for local and tourist mobility, and their

effects on the island’s ecosystems. Water resources, which vary considerably on the

island, were evaluated in terms of quantity, quality, equity of access, and as a long-

term resource. Solid waste management, and obvious issue on the island, was

examined regarding it’s relation to quantity, collection, fees, the existing dump, and

ecological and aesthetic effect.

Economic-Social-Cultural-Political/ Legal- Ethical

The goal of the Economic-Social-Cultural-Political/ Legal- Ethical group was

to determine the interconnection between the island’s local residents and the role

oftourism in their daily lives. The previous year’s workshop revealed that a

government led tourism strategy has neither addressed the complex needs of Koh

Lanta Yai Yai communities. nor strengthened them in the face of international

tourism. The Economic-Social-Cultural-Political/ Legal- Ethical group examined how

4  

local culture and practices, tourism development, and the local governance interact,

guide, and sustain the island’s future in the face of expected tourism growth.

The structure of the study will, firstly, introduce background and it aims.

Secondly, it focuses on case analysis and reviews of Koh Lanta Yai. Thirdly, it

discusses the concept of sustainable tourism development and identifies the issues.

Fourthly, a SWOT analysis will be evaluated in this master plan including TOWS

matrix analysis. Fifthly, it discusses the conclusion and provides suggestions for

future planning. Finally, this master plan will be recommended to provide a

systematic mechanism for enhancing regional cooperation in the region.

Figure 1: Structure of ideas flow chart of the overall structure of the study

Introduction

Case analysis / Reviews

Discussions/Evaluations

SWOT analysis

TOWS matrix analysis

Conclusion

Recommendations

5  

Discussions and Evaluations

Introduction

Literally, sustainable development refers to maintaining development

over time. By the early 1990s, it was suggested that there were more than 70

definitions of sustainable development in circulation sustainable development

encompass the idea that there are three interdependent pillars of sustainable

development: environmental, economic and social (Elliott, 2006).

Planning Principles for STD Sustainability in tourism development thus clearly means achieving multiple

goals. The challenge for tourism planners is how to effectively balance these goals by

optimizing economic benefits without compromising environmental and socio-

cultural conditions. Arguably of most significance is the way in which power and

uneven and unequal development are manifested through these processes and

reflected through tourism projects (Theerapappisit, 2008).

The concept of sustainable tourism development

There are concepts related to the notion of sustainable tourism development

(STD) are discussed with regard to its goal of minimizing development impacts on

tourism resources and local communities while still achieving economic benefits.

 

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Environmental aspects include strategies regarding conservation and carrying

capacity to maintain ecological integrity and the preservation of biodiversity

(Jamieson, 2001).

Socio-cultural objectives represent social and cultural values as manifested in

destination communities, including concerns for maintenance of traditional values,

social equity, quality of life and personal experience issues (Wahab & Pigram, 1997).

For master plan is to identify on issues in this case relating to our six aspects:

economic, environmental, social, political / legal, ethical and technological /

infrastructures and then a SWOT analysis will be evaluated in this master plan

including TOWS matrix analysis as following:

Identifying issues

Australian Government’s Department of the Environment and Heritage (2004)

mentioned that identify issues clearly and thoroughly. Where necessary, consider

using professional skills and approaches, such as those offered by facilitators

experienced or trained in techniques for working with stakeholders and identifying

issues. The major focuses were identified for the issues relevant to both tourism and

heritage, as reported in tables 1.

8  

Table 1: Identifying Issues

What are the issues?

Aspects/Concerns Detailed issues

Economic Issues

- Group accounting and household accounting system

- Expansion of group network with increasing funds

- Encouragement job training

- Creation of tourist’s activities

Environmental Issues

- Water supply management

- Solid waste and wastewater management

- Rainforest and upland Forested areas

- Mangrove forests and fish habitats

- Oil and Exhaust pollution

- Coral reef ( boat anchors destroying)

- Forest encroachment

Social Issues

- Educational gaps

- Food and livelihood

- Local disempowerment

- Noise pollution

Political / Legal Issues

- Law enforcement

- Enforce existing laws

- Unregulated development

9  

Ethical Issues - Ecological and socio-cultural awareness and

responsibility

Technological

/Infrastructures Issues

- Traffic and transportation system

- Ferries and proposed bridge connection

- Resource use

- Zoning setting

SWOT analysis

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis is a

research method to analyze a certain status-quo. SWOT analysis, also known as

SWOT matrix, has often been used in field of business and extended to that of natural

resource management in order to assess a given decision, project or policy directive in

a systematic manner. It has also been used in assessment of sustainable tourism

(Reihanian, Mahmood, Kahrom, & Hin, 2012).

This method is based on two tiers of analysis which are conducted separately:

1. First step is to analyze the internal factors (local analysis) which contain a

discussion on strengths and weaknesses according to the aims of the SWOT;

2. Second step is to analyze the external factors (global analysis) which

contain a discussion on relevant opportunities and threats (positive/negative

framework conditions, potential chances and risks) (Harfst, et al., 2010).

10  

Table 2: SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis Of A Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development: Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi Province

Strengths

- Outstanding nature

- Cultural diversity and multi-culturalism

- Ecological system diversity or habitat diversity

- Ethnic Group diversity

- National park

- The quality of beaches

- Traditional boat festival

- Tri-cultural harmony

Weaknesses

- Deterioration of the natural environment

- Lack of cultural and social capital

- Lack of solid waste and wastewater management

- Lack of ecological and socio-cultural awareness and responsibility

- Lack of enforceable zoning and design guidelines, resource use

- Insecurity

- Law enforcement

- Overlapping territorial claims area

- Forest encroachment

- Uncompleted transportation system

Opportunuties

- Popular eco-tourist destination

- Hubs of the Andaman region

- Cultural learning center and museum building

- Mangrove education center

Threats

- Nature disaster

- Political insatiability

- Government budget inconsistency with real action

- Law enforcement

- Lack of local people’s knowledge/skill

11  

From a SWOT analysis, it can be determined strategy from analysis of the

internal factors and external factors (TOWS matrix) as following:

TOWS Matrix Analysis

As mentioned earlier, sustainable tourism is the main pivot for Koh Lanta Yai

development. To reach this, by pair wise matching SO, WO, ST, and WT, key

strategies were determined for this area. The SWOT matrix is shown below:

Table 3: Sustainable Tourism Development Strategies in Koh Lanta Yai

SO strategies

1. Recognizing the importance of tourism industry development for the overall

recovery of Koh Lanta Yai became a popular ecotourism with creating bicycle way

2. Identifying Koh Lanta Yai for tourism devepment as the next Hub of the

Andaman region

3. Considering its particular ecological system or habitat diversity of Koh

Lanta Yai, located within the national park, it is a core factor in attracting tourists

such as mangrove education center etc.

4. Advantage should be taken of the area's ancient tri- culture, language and

dialects, and local garments while planning for sustainable tourism development, and

planning should be undertaken to preserve the traditional context such as culture

learning center, traditional boat festival etc.

12  

ST strategies

1. To educate and train bout nature disaster warning.

2. To avoid tourism negative impacts on sensitive fauna and flora species, a

particular plan should be developed to conserve the park ecological value

3. Allocating budget to establish infrastructures

4. Increasing environmental guard stations and patrols to improve

conservational capacity

5. Identifying serious law enforcement

WO strategies

1. Conservation and recovery of natural resources

2. Creation of social and economic capital with supporting and training local

people about group accounting and household accounting system leading to income

distribution as a system and potential which protection of leakage

3. Setting the new management strategy to encourage the production of less

waste

4. Environmental education and culture building through public media,

academic conferences, and NGOs

5. Setting a CCTV cameras at important spots around Koh Lanta Yai

6. Improving the transportation network, especially the main and secondary

roads, for example, by increasing the number of traffic lane, improving traffic

management, constructing new roads around island

7. Creating awareness and responsibility with environment.

13  

WT strategies

1. Informing eco-tourists and tourists by local guides, handing out brochures

2. Building roads and ferries and proposed bridge suitable for tourism and

reducing tourist congestion in just one route

3. Infrastructure development harmonized with population increase caused by

tourist visits

4. Encouraging local people with work skill

5. Employing environmental management experts to manage and educate how to

Conclusion

This study examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of

tourism development in Koh Lanta Yai. The main issues which influence tourism

industry development in the island have been identified by SWOT analysis and

analysis of the internal factors and external factors (TOWS matrix). The current and

future situation of tourism in Koh Lanta Yai is criticized by SWOT analysis.

Accordingly, in Koh Lanta Yai has a great potential for tourist attraction. The

strong points are outstanding nature, tri- cultural diversity, great diversity of

environments in a large territory, existence of valuable natural areas that may be

further enhanced in terms of enjoyment, and presence of beach tourism in coastal

areas that can be integrated with ecotourism. This paper provides an important

alternative for further master plan on implementation of sustainable tourism in Koh

Lanta Yai.

14  

Recommendation

Currently, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will become fully

functional by 2015. It is the key turning point of Thai economy in all aspects- goods

and services, including tourism, air travel, automotives, wood based products,

rubber-based products, textiles and apparels, electronics, agro-based products,

fisheries, IT technology (e-ASEAN) and healthcare (Thai Furniture Industry Club

The Federation of Thai Industries, 2012). The government of Krabi province must

identify the importance of tourism industry development as the next Hub of the

Andaman region and popular “eco- tourist” destination. However, based on the

above discussion and SWOT analysis, a better collaboration can be achieved by

building on the strengths of Koh Lanta Yai. Towards this end, several

recommendations are proposed, which are as follows:

Short-term (One-Year Action Plans)

In the short term, the main focus should be on environmental and natural

resources conservation. To solve these problems, the development of infrastructure

and tourism services must be restricted, strongly controlled. In addition, tourism

resources should managed to prevent pollution. Stakeholders, including residents,

business owner, tourists, and government officials, need to cooperate the

environment and natural resources ethically and responsibly.

Second, existing federal laws preventing the destruction of the rainforests

need to be enforced. To solve the problems, the setting of Mangrove Education

Center should be expanded to preserve upland rainforests, an educational brochure

15  

should be developed and distributed. In addition, a conservation fund should be

created in order to buy land for preservation.

Final, increasing the solid waste and wastewater management capacity,

government agencies need to issue and promote guide for tourists to take part in

conserving natural resources. Local government agencies should position notice

signs about conservation at tourism attractions and promote awareness of recycling

among residents and them develop a recycling program should be integrated to the

new management strategy to encourage the production of less waste.

Medium-term (Three-Year Action Plans)

In the medium- term, first, development of transportation system is critical for

Koh Lanta Yai to improve the island’s economy and tourism. The government should

improve the transportation network, especially the main and secondary roads, for

example, by increasing the number of traffic lane, improving traffic management,

constructing new roads around island to support the plan, and matching infrastructure

and public utilities with user demand. Local government need to increase the bicycle

way to support both cultural tourism and ecotourism. In addition, continuing bridge

building has done for many years but not it is completed. Local government need to

review the project or policy to continue to build new bridge for a comprehensive

development plan should be created which includes projected changed in tourism

numbers, tourism development. Moreover, the biggest problem with the ferry system

is its inconsistent schedule — running only when they are full; leaving the passengers

at the mercy of the ferry operators. The local government has the ability to enforce its

contact with ferry or search for a competitor who serves a differential ferry transit fee

16  

for locals and tourists; a faster, up to date ferry vehicle; and a high speed emergency

boat system.

Second, the focusing should be on the lack of cultural and social capital of

local people on island. The challenge is to close the gap at the moment. The local

government should create the social and economic capital with supporting and

training local people about group accounting and household accounting system

leading to income distribution as a system and potential which protection of leakage.

Third, development of public facilities, especially water supply management

was identified as important factors in the development of tourism in Koh Lanta Yai.

Officials were also concerned it especially in the high season.

Final, enforceable zoning and design guidelines have no set in Koh Lanta Yai.

Local government has to set the zoning for tourism development in the future.

Long-term (Five-Year Action Plans)

In long-term, first, solving security problem, especially A CCTV system is

highly important for tourism attractions to ensure the safety of tourists and pursue

offenders, so government agencies should set the number of CCTV cameras at

important spots around Koh Lantal Yai.

Second, concerning educational system, if the island’s young people want a

secondary education they must leave home and stay on the mainland. The government

has to build new high school for local and tourist environmental education,

environmental field research station and training the employees to a particular

employer who reaps the majority of benefits from island tourism.

17  

Final, development of cultural tourism is critical for Koh Lanta Yai to improve

the island’s economy and tourism. The stakeholder should establish policies to

preserve this unique, historical attraction. In addition, they should be taken of the

area's ancient tri- culture, language and dialects, and local garments while planning

for sustainable tourism development, and planning should be undertaken to preserve

the traditional context such as culture learning center, traditional boat festival etc.

References

Australian Government’s Department of the Environment and Heritage. (2004). Steps

to sustainable tourism. Australia: Goanna Print.

Elliott, J. A. (2006). An introduction to sustainable development (3rd. ed.). New York:

Routledge.

Harfst, J., Wirth, P., Lintz, G., & Bieberstein, C. (2010). Strengths, weakness,

opportunities and threats of European mining regions (SWOT report I).

Germany: Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development.

Jamieson, W. ( 2001). Community tourism destination management: Principles and

practices. Bangkok: Saengsawang World.

Reihanian, A., Mahmood, N. Z. B., Kahrom, E., & Hin, T. W. (2012). Sustainable

tourism tourism development strategy by SWOT analysis: Boujagh National

Park, Iran. Tourism Management Perspectives, 4, 223-228.

Thai Furniture Industry Club The Federation of Thai Industries. (2012). ASEAN

Economic Community. Retrieved from

http://www.thaifurnitureclub.or.th/EN/En-AEC.php.

18  

Theerapappisit, P. (2008). Tourism planning and policy in the greater Mekong

subregion: local perspectives on development and participation, a study of

ethnic communities in northern Thailand. Unpublished doctoral dissertation,

The University of Melbourne, Australia.

TAT. (2011). Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Retrieved from

http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-

Detail/Mu-Koh-Lanta-National-Park—5432

Wahab, S. & Pigram, J. J. (1997). Tourism, development and growth: The challenge

of sustainability. London: Routledge.

Wray, M. (2010). Sustainable regional tourism destinations: Best practice for

management, development and marketing. Australia: CRC for Sustainable

Tourism Pty.

19  

Appendices

WP-2007-06

A Summary of A Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development

Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi Province 

Chulalongkonrn University University of California, Berkeley

Thai Public Policy Foundation 2007

20  

In the master planning process, the graduate students from Chulalongkorn

University and the University of California, Berkeley initially met in Bangkok for a

series of expert debriefings, and then formulated a plan to assess the conditions of

the Koh Lanta Yai island where located in the southern Thailand province of Krabi.

The students arranged themselves into three groups to conduct the field

research and analysis:

- Ecology/ Environment

- Infrastructure

- Economic-Social-Cultural-Political

To sum up, they make clear the options for the future development of the

island as a home to local people and as a tourist destination. The balancing of

livelihood and environment is global question, but it is answered in local decisions

and local places.