Development of management guidelines from tourist and stakeholder consultations: the case of Dongphayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Thailand

Abstract

Over-crowding in the campgrounds of Khao Yai National Park (KYNP), Thailand, tends to deteriorate the nature-based ecotourism resources. The spread of tourists from KYNP to other attraction sites nearby is the main goal of the management for this park. The research aim is to create development guidelines to make these other conservation areas the attraction sites which tourists will be satisfied to visit. For the data collection prior to the establishment of the guidelines, we conducted an ecotourism potential evaluation of 14 attraction sites in the World Natural Heritage Dongphayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex Area (WNHD-KYFCA) by a subjective measure through 16 indicators, a questionnaire survey of 400 tourist respondents in the crowded campgrounds of KYNP, and interviews with 18 stakeholders. The results of the potential evaluation indicate that the 14 attraction sites fall into two groups (moderate- and low-potential sites). Three out of the top-five sites from the evaluation were also the top sites chosen by the tourist respondents. The interviews with the stakeholders indicate that the 14 sites in the WNHD-KYFCA are in good condition but lack publicity and interpretation activities. All data sets and information from the study were used to establish the development guidelines regarding facility development, publicity, interpretation activities and the promotion of tourism activities, which should be done continuously by the relevant government sectors with the participation of local people.

Keywords:

• Khao Yai National Park
• World Natural Heritage Dongphayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex Area
• ecotourism
• recreation resource potential
• campground
• Thailand
• development guidelines

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Martin Ward who read the manuscript and gave useful suggestions as well as doing the English corrections to this paper. Thanks also to Jitsak Bhudjohn and his colleagues who helped improve the questionnaire and also helped on the fieldwork as well as Anucha Chumnankid from the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, who helped in providing the related information. We are in debt to all the experts who amended the evaluation form and questionnaires used in the research as well as the rangers and staff in the WNHD-KYFCA who provided the facilities during an evaluation of the sites. Finally, we would like to thank an anonymous referee and Prof. Peter Taylor who gave the constructive and useful comments on improving this paper.