Noppamast Sae-Tang.. An assessment of existing and potential ecotourism boat routes at Bueng Borapet, Nakhon Sawan province, Thailand. Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2016.
An assessment of existing and potential ecotourism boat routes at Bueng Borapet, Nakhon Sawan province, Thailand
Abstract:
This study aimed to identify and evaluate suitable ecotourism boat routes at Bueng Borapet by applying water-based ecotourism criteria. Research methodology included in-depth interviews with 22 key informants including local officers, boat service providers, academicians, and local people, and interviews and preference assessment with 128 domestic visitors and 40 international visitors at Bueng Borapet. Data collection started from August, 2014 to April, 2015. SPSS was used for data analysis including percentage, frequency, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Tukey Multiple-comparison Post-hoc Test. This research focused on 3 boat routes in Bueng Borapet: 2 existing and 1 new potential boat routes. All boat routes were evaluated based on water-based ecotourism criteria including attraction, service and facilities, environmental education, community participation, and conservation. The results showed that all boat routes were suitable for ecotourism with different levels of suitability ranging from moderately suitable to suitable. For domestic and international visitors, they felt quite highly satisfied to visit each boat route by looking at photographs. Boat route number 1 and new potential route had similar attractions such as flora and fauna and local culture but the potential boat route had higher density of flora and fauna. Meanwhile, boat route number 2 presented less flora but had special migratory bird; osprey, during migration season. For boat route assessment, indicators affecting visitors satisfaction included beautiful scenery, variety of ecotourism activities, suitable timing for boat trips and environmental education. Upon comparison of 3 boat routes, it was found that indicators differentiating the boat routes were scenic beauty, biodiversity, local culture and lifestyle, variety of ecotourism activities, quality and safety of tourist boat and pier and the need for natural resource conservation with statistical significance at a level of 0.05. Results of boat route assessment and comparing differences of ecotourism boat routes were useful. It could be used for ecotourism development and maintain quality of those indicators at Bueng Borapet in order to attract target visitors. The new potential boat route is an alternative to support tourism demand in the future and the local community will have opportunities to learn and develop skills in tourism service, and gain income from boat-based ecotourism