# Tourism in Thailand from a sustainability perspective - Savonia AMK

> How individual traveler can influence sustainability on their journey and how sustainability issues could be better addressed in Thailand and especially Khao Lak.

## Introduction
Tourism is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and the industry is expanding rapidly, with international holidaymakers increasing by 3-5% per year. Tourists contribute to climate change through transport and the consumption of goods and services, while also shaping the nature and culture of destinations. This article reflects on how individual travelers can influence sustainability and how these issues can be addressed in Thailand, specifically the Khao Lak area, based on observations from November–December 2023.

## The Role of Tourism
Tourism provides a vital source of income, creating local entrepreneurship, jobs, and infrastructure development. However, the industry must become sustainable to remain viable. Achieving this requires cooperation between all parties: tourists, tourism businesses, politicians, and public authorities.

## Culturally Sustainable Tourism
Cultural sustainability involves preserving heritage and respecting local customs. Interviewee Aree Nopparit of Southern Andaman Travel suggests that the range of tours should expand toward more sustainable options. Instead of high-impact activities like speedboat trips, tourists should engage in:
* Cooking classes
* Tours of local industries (e.g., rubber plantations, tin mining, or the garment industry)

Learning about traditional livelihoods helps tourists appreciate the origins of products and the work behind them.

## Economic Sustainability
Economic sustainability means growth that is not based on long-term debt or the destruction of natural resources. Tourists can influence the local economy by:
* Choosing locally and sustainably produced accommodation, restaurants, and excursions.
* Avoiding unnecessary purchases and branded copies.

## Waste Management and Circular Economy
There is significant room for improvement in Thailand's waste management. To support a circular economy, tourists can:
* Carry their own shopping bags.
* Refuse plastic straws and cups.
* Support initiatives that incentivize recycling.

## Social Sustainability
Socially sustainable development requires equality and the realization of fundamental rights. While Thailand has a culture based on Buddhist philosophy and community, it faces challenges with corruption and income disparity. Tourism revenues can help support the development of basic living conditions for local populations.

## Environmental Sustainability
To protect plant and animal diversity, the following measures are suggested:
* **Accommodation:** Limit large hotel chains that cause deforestation; choose smaller, locally owned, nature-friendly options.
* **Resource Usage:** Use water and electricity sparingly.
* **Excursions:** Implement restrictions on the number of tourists at fragile sites and introduce environmental taxes.
* **Animal Welfare:** Ban services that restrict animal rights and replace them with conservation and restoration measures.
* **Transport:** Improve public transport to reduce reliance on private cars and motorcycles, and transition to green energy sources.

## Regenerative Tourism
The key to regenerative tourism is ensuring the destination is better when the traveler leaves than when they arrived. This involves:
* Moving beyond constant growth toward constant vitality.
* Encouraging active roles for tourists, such as tree planting, beach clean-ups, or contributing to animal conservation.

## References
* Azam, M., Alam, M., & Hafeez, M. H. 2018. Effect of tourism on environmental pollution: Further evidence from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. *Journal of Cleaner Production*, 190, 330-338.
* Dunne, D. 2018. Tourism responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, study finds. *Carbon Brief*.
* Härmä, T. & Nasib, N. 2023. Kestävän kehityksen keskeiset käsitteet. *Opetushallitus*.
* InvideoAI, 2023. Video made by Tea Martikainen with artificial intelligence using pictures from Pixabay.
* Jaakkola, S. 2022. Vastuullisuus on saanut rinnalleen uudistavan termin, mutta mitä uudistava matkailu oikein tarkoittaa? *Valpas Media*.
* Nguyen, H. A. T., Gheewala, S. H., Sophea, T., Areerob, T., Hashimoto, K., Pimonsree, S., & Prueksakorn, K. 2020. Comparative carbon footprint assessment of agricultural and tourist locations in Thailand, 2020. *Journal of Cleaner Production*, 269, 122407.
* Nopparit, A. 2023. Entrepreneur. Southern Andaman Travel. Interview 5.12.2023.