การใช้กลยุทธ์การจัดการท่องเที่ยวเชิงนิเวศเพื่อลดความเสี่ยงภัยพิบัติในพื้นที่เทศบาลตำบลปากพะยูน จังหวัดพัทลุง

Abstract

This study's goals are to: 1) analyze the impacts of disasters in the Pak Payoon Municipality, Phattalung Province; 2) investigate the usage of ecotourism strategies to reduce disaster risk; and 3) suggest ecotourism strategies to reduce disaster risk in the future. Qualitative research techniques were applied. In-depth interviews and documentary research were used to gather the data. A total of 26 individuals from different organizations participated in in-depth interviews. The data triangulation approach was used to verify the data, and the induction methodology was used for analyzing data. Results show that previous disasters created 3 types of impacts to the communities. These include (1) physical impacts (damage to infrastructure, agriculture, ecosystem and the environment), (2) social impacts (stress and wariness about daily life and illness), and (3) economic impacts (reduction of income, agricultural products and fishery). In terms of ecotourism strategies, there have been 4 types of ecotourism initiatives implemented to reduce disaster risk in the areas. These include (1) natural resource recovery strategy, (2) biodiversity conservation strategy, (3) community tourism and infrastructure development strategy, and (4) disaster risk reduction measures by government agencies. This research provides two levels of recommendations – policy level and community level. At the policy level, related government agencies should allocate budget for equipment procurement, provide technical and knowledge support, and network with relevant organizations to promote ecotourism and disaster risk management. At the community level, awareness on natural resource and environment conservation should be raised among the general public, handbooks for natural resource and environment conservation should be developed, and ecotourism activities should be more promoted.