Capacity building model for local governmental agencies on sustainable tourism development adapting to climate change

Abstract

The lack of proper water resource management and water shortage likely caused by climate change would affect sustainable tourism development in Thailand. Local governmental agencies (LGAs) are the main body having directly role and responsibility to deal with such problem. Capacity building of the LGAs to handle water resource management and its shortage and its impacts would be beneficial not only to tourism but also to the community. The study on capacity building model for local governmental agencies on sustainable tourism development adapting to climate change was carried out at Koh Chang, Trat province, Thailand. The objectives of the study are to study the impacts of climate change on water resources affecting tourism businesses, to assess the capacity of the LGAs in addressing such the impacts, and to develop the conceptual model of capacity building for the LGAs in adapting to climate change impacts on water resources affecting sustainable tourism development on the island. Climate data between 1970 and 2009 were analyzed. Other relevant data were collected through questionnaire, interview and in-depth discussion with twenty four stakeholders in four villages of Koh Chang, namely Ban Klong Nonsri, Ban Klong Praw, Ban Bang Bao, and Ban Salak Petch. The study results found that the island has significantly increased in rainfall producing large amounts of water during rainy season (May-October) but there still has water shortage particularly during the peak period of tourism (November-February). This problem is caused by the mismatch between the time period of tourism season and rainy season. It also found that changing in rainfall and temperature patterns reduced availability of water supply. Additionally, there is no a large reservoir to storage water from short and steep water tributaries. This study also found the incapability of the LGAs in managing water resources and its shortage that of the most concern. Therefore, the conceptual model of capacity building for the LGAs is proposed by taking initial consideration on capacity building policy through approaches of human resource development and education, technology need assessment, and water management system. The LGAs need to enhance their knowledge and skills on climate change adaptation and water resource management and relevant technology. The linkages of appropriate technologies for an effective water management system are also required. The enabling capacity of the LGAs would finally sustain the development of tourism and community on Koh Chang. Therefore, it would recommend that the LGAs’ short term and long term implementing plans on capacity building on water resource management should be consistently developed. The capacity building of other stakeholders such as local community should be further studied. Furthermore, the model of capacity building of the LGAs’ on proper water management needs to be further technical study.