รูปแบบการจัดการท่องเที่ยวเชิงนิเวศและการอนุรักษ์ป่าชายเลนโดยการมีส่วนร่วมของชุมชนบ้านหัวทาง อำเภอเมือง จังหวัดสตูล

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) investigate the process of community participation in ecotourism management and mangrove forest conservation of Ban Huatang, Mueng District, Satun Province and 2) synthesize a model of ecotourism management and mangrove forest conservation with community participation. The qualitative and quantitative approaches were integrally carried out across the participatory action research. The research tools were the structured interview, filed survey, participant observation, and questionnaires. The obtained data were analyzed by analysis of content and relation of data for model synthesis by the participatory action research, while the analysis of the satisfaction questionnaires from 252 participants was employed by descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the community of Ban Huatang is a system of relatives, using the Muslim scripture in a daily life with awareness of natural resources conservation and culture. The profusion of mangrove forest grew from the community participation in conservation and recovery that led into ecotourism management. The process of community participation in managing mangrove forest and ecotourism comprised mutual goal setting, brainstorming on participatory management, joining actions, gaining benefits, and making assessment to achieve the goals. The model of ecotourism management and mangrove forest conservation with community participation consists of, 1) the mutual goal to conserve natural resources and cultural heritage by building community pride, learning process improvement and boosting community income 2) community-based tourism management by stakeholder administration e.g. structure, regulations, finance, evaluation, security, destination designation, host-tourist interaction and tourist services, and 3) evaluation by data collection, data analysis, making conclusion feedback to stakeholders, and 4) the key success factors rely on both internal and external supports such as the community cohesiveness, congruency of management strategy and community capitals, especially the abundant of mangrove forest, cultural heritage, local fishery lifestyle, including Muslim culture and local community values on the natural conservation and culture. External factors include local government policy on promoting of community-based tourism, the expansion of ecotourism, and tourist trend on social and environmental responsibility.