Assessment of tourist site potential and application of environmental management system for ecotourism development in Sri Nan National Park, Nan Province

Abstract

The assessment of tourist site potential and the application of environmental management system for ecotourism development in Sri Nan National Park (SNNP) was investigated from December 2005 to December 2007. Twenty indicators of tourist site potential assessment for 5 types of tourist sites which are mountain, landform, rapid, reservoir, and cave are proposed and categorized based on 4 components of ecotourism. Of all the identified 20 indicators that indicate tourist site potential, 6 indicators represent nature-based tourism, 8 indicators represent sustainable management tourism, 4 indicators represent environmentally educative tourism, and 2 indicators represent people participation. The results showed that 2 nature sites of SNNP, "Pha Chu Clift" and "Sao Din Landform", were ranked as very high potential for ecotourism. Doi Sa Mer Dao Mountain was ranked as good potential, whereas Pak Nai and Kang Luang were ranked as moderate potential site for ecotourism. The integration of environmental management system for ecotourism development was applied and investigated in SNNP. Tourists needed the space for at least 2 square meters/ person for camping, consumed water about 10.8 liters/ person/ day, and generated waste for 0.6kg/ person/ day. In order to minimize environmental impact, eco-camping guidebook, garbage bins, waste separation program and environmental friendly cleanser were arranged to the park. Tourists were highly interested and collaborated in provided materials and this circumstance can indicate that the successful of ecotourism development in SNNP is due to suitable environmental management system for tourists. Results showed that 85.8% of tourists visited SNNP for relaxing followed by admiring sea of mist, scenery, and photography which were 59.1, 58.6, and 47.3%, respectively. 49.15% of tourists stayed overnight camping for 1 night. The major appreciation that the tourists visited SNNP included sea of mist, beautiful landscape and the staff's friendliness. The recommendations for ecotourism development in SNNP such as keeping the park as it is being in natural way, providing more area of camping site and car park, improving landscape scenery by planting more trees and flowers, increasing camping and accessories for renting, and limiting number of tourists are proposed.