Sustainable tourism for Hua Hin

[Geko]

Hua Hin and adjacent areas will soon come under zoning and other regulations designed to control future development in the popular tourist destinations.

Under a sustainable-tourism development plan pending the Cabinet's endorsement before September, in six districts in Phetchaburi and Prachuab Khiri Khan provinces that spread over a total area of 536,019 rai (85,760 hectares), new development projects will be controlled in line with the area's infrastructure capacity, particularly traffic, and its waste and water treatment. Along the combined coastal areas of 265 kilometres, all developments will be kept at least 50 metres from the beaches.

"This is in line with the strategy to turn the lower part of the Central Region into an agricultural, food and eco-tourism business base," said Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, director-general of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organisation), or DASTA.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the area annually welcomes more than 2 million visitors, whose combined spending is about Bt10 billion. Yet, this introduces environmental problems, chiefly water and waste treatment as well as traffic congestion.

Under the plan, Hua Hin, Cha-am and Pran Buri will be designated for high-end tourism development, while other areas will be promoted for family travellers, agricultural tourism and eco- and community tourism.

Urban areas will be clearly defined along with accommodation development zones, with the creation of more green areas.

Tourist targets will be set in line with infrastructure capacity, while the city plan will be adjusted, as well as building heights.

Better management is sought for public venues, and central waste- and water-treatment centres are included in the plan.

Wave barriers will be put up to prevent further coastal erosion, and a public transport system is also planned for Hua Hin.

Nalikatibhag said that success depended on the engagement of local residents and business operators.

"DASTA has so far won public support, as our main objective is to make sure that tourism development is sustainable and that benefits truly go to local communities," he explained.

The plan for Hua Hin and adjacent areas is supported by 96.31 per cent of local residents, he added.

Established in 2003, DASTA now supervises the development of six designated areas: Koh Chang (low-carbon destination), Pattaya ('greenovative' tourism city), Sukhothai-Si Satchanalai-Kamphaengphet historical parks (culture), Loei (slow-life destination), Nan (living old city) and U-Thong ancient city (culture).

Operators in Koh Chang, mainly hotels and restaurants, are encouraged to come up with their own proposals. Acting as an intermediary, DASTA would put together the plans and hold discussions with relevant government and local-government bodies on the budgeting, said the director-general.

In Pattaya, the organisation needs to work with nine different bodies.

A Bt1.5-billion incinerator is now in-plan, ready to kick off once the government's public-private investment regulations are effective.

A new road is under construction to ease traffic on the resort-city's Sukhumvit Road, while units brainstorm on water supply and water treatment, he said.

The Marine Department, meanwhile, is working on allocating the budget for a 35-metre sand-filling project to stop further erosion, he added.

Nalikatibhag added that the agency's operations had received a boost from the Cabinet's March resolution that requires cooperation from ministries like Interior, Transport, Energy, Tourism and Culture.

"It's a paradigm shift. Sustainability is assured if local residents initiate the projects that will be undertaken by government bodies. They are empowered to take a lead if they don't want investors from far away to bag all the benefits," he said.

"Without clear plans, the locals could be just maids or security guards. So far, our plans have been approved by over 90 per cent of local residents."

Success is based on the well-being and community income indices, introduced in 2013 with help from 18 institutions, as well as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation guidelines.

Supporting the task is the flexibility of DASTA's operations, he stressed.

Of nearly 200 staff members, 83 per cent are on contract. They have to meet their key performance indicators, and stand to win a 20-per-cent pay hike if they are achieved.

Aside from Hua Hin, within this fiscal year the agency also plans to nominate Chiang Saen and its vicinity in Chiang Rai province as another designated area, thanks to its famous Lanna culture.

Ten more venues are also enlisted for the designation, including the Mae Klong basin, Ayutthaya historical park, Surin Islands and Songkhla Lake. "Each location has its own character. Our work touches on all dimensions - economy, environment and culture. Yet, the key success factor is the locals. They know the areas the best. They should know what they have to offer and what to gain," said the official.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busines ... 63799.html

[buksida]

Government told not to rush West coast development
THE TOURISM industry has cautioned the government about developing the West coast of Thailand as a new destination, saying it should take time to ensure the areas are fully prepared before marketing them.


"Introducing or promoting new destinations is not a big question for the private sector, but we worry about readiness and capability if the government rushes to open areas to draw visitors," Ittirit Kinglake, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said yesterday.

Tourism development could take time, perhaps years, for the areas to have complete infrastructure, good accommodations, attractive products and services, and skilled resources.

"Especially when we aim to attract quality tourists, we need to have good destinations first," he said.

The National Tourism Committee or the Tourism Ministry are expected to seek Cabinet approval for a tourism development master plan covering eight clusters nationwide by September.

Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Pran Buri on the West coast will be the first combined area to be developed as a sustainable tourism model. Other clusters such as Lanna in the North, Andaman in the South, the East coast and the Northeast with its cultural theme will follow.

The government should not rush to open the West coast and should not take top-down endorsement. It should begin talks with locals and residents before considering any development.

Many visitors to Hua Hin and Cha-Am come from other parts of the country. The two resort towns welcomed only 2 million foreign visitors generating Bt10 billion last year - much lower than 10 million in Phuket and more than 5 million in Chiang Mai.

"We already learned from the failure of Koh Chang on the east coast, where the government and private sectors are set to draw tourists. The island is now claimed as a damaged destination and poorly managed," he added.

Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president for marketing at the council, said she agreed with this project as it would help the private sectors in Cha-am and Hua Hin to gain more business.

"All of us in the tourism industry almost promote Cha-am and Hua Hin together. Of course, Hua Hin is more known than Cha-am, and when described as different provinces, it makes Cha-am less attractive.

"Currently they belong to different provinces, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. It would reduce so many obstacles and bureaucratic red tape.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busines ... 63873.html

[PeteC]

Hua Hin, Cha-am are southeast coast as described in every other journal in existence. Andaman side is west coast. Smack the journalist again. Pete