การพัฒนาการท่องเที่ยวดำน้ำอย่างยั่งยืนในพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติหาดเจ้าไหม จังหวัดตรัง

Abstract

This research collected data from all relevant stakeholders and was aimed to (1) investigate perception of local people living in Hat Chao Mai National Park communities on responsible tourism practice, destination sustainability, and quality of life, (2) investigate snorkeling tourists’ demographic information, their awareness on snorkeling guidelines, their awareness on legislation related to coral reef, and their compliance with the snorkeling guidelines, (3) examine tourism management situation of snorkeling tour operators and related agencies, and, (4) explore guideline for developing sustainable snorkeling tourism in Hat Chao Mai National Park. This research employed mixed methods research design. The samples were 355 local people, 397 snorkeling tourists, and 15 snorkeling tour operators and related agencies. The results from Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis revealed that tourists’ perceptions on responsible tourism practice influenced their perceived destination sustainability, their perceived destination sustainability influenced perceived quality of life, and, their perceived responsible tourism practice influenced perceived quality of life at a significant level of p<0.001 and p<0.01. The results from Multiple Regression Analysis showed that tourists’ awareness on snorkeling guidelines was relevant to their compliance with the guidelines at a significant level of p<0.001. The findings from examining tourism management situation showed some management problems such as tour guides did not provide enough information to the tourists, tour operators and tourists accidently and intentionally destroyed coral reef. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that relevant government agencies should develop strategy on snorkeling tourism management in Had Chao Mai National Park by employing responsible tourism practice with all relevant stakeholders.