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โครงการหนังสืออิเล็กทรอนิกส์ด้านการเกษตร เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว

Abstract

The COVID-19 incidence has brought our economies to a halt. With the loss of jobs
and decline in income in several parts of the country this study hypothesizes that the decline
of tourism activities resulted from COVID-19 lockdown may have a positive impact on marine

resource regeneration. This study selects five study sites in the Southern region of Thailand
where marine resources are key tourist attractions. The study sites are 1) Patong Beach in
Phuket province, 2) Rok Island in Krabi province, 3) Hong Island in Krabi province, 4) Maya Bay

in Krabi province, and 5) Koh Libong in Trang province. The study collects secondary data on
marine resource abundance, volume of solid waste and sea water quality. On marine tourism

management the study calculates the carrying capacity of marine resources based on
geographical characteristics of each study site and collects primary data on tourism
management strategies from interviews with stakeholders, they are, government agencies,

local tourism and fishery entrepreneurs and local communities.

The finding of the study shows a strong negative correlation between the number of
tourists and the sighting of marine animals, that is, with the decline of the number of tourists

in all five study sites, there are numerous evidence of increases of marine animal sightings at
the study sites. This evidence indicates that if tourist activities can be controlled and well
managed it can lead to healthier marine resources and sustainable marine resource

management.

On tourism management, the study undertakes calculations of the three measures of

tourism carrying capacity at all five study sites, they are 1) Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC),
2) Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and 3) Facility Carrying Capacity (FCC). The results show that
only tourism activities at Patong Beach, Phuket province have exceeded their carrying
capacities for all the three measures. For the remaining four study sites, the study finds that

their tourism activities did not exceed their carrying capacity for all the three measures.

On tourism management recommendations, they study makes suggestions in eight
areas, they are, 1) Closer collaboration between the authority and stakeholders, 2) Establish

zoning in areas, such as, boat routes, boat docking zone, recreational zone and conservation
zone, 3) Impose fine for violation of regulations, 4) Adopt various forms of user charges and
fees for marine park visitation and use of facilities, such as, parking fee, 5) Impose various

forms of fallow period for marine park closure, 6) Diversify tourism attractions so as to lessen
pressure on marine resource visitation, 7) Increase tourism facilities, such as, restrooms or
waste disposal, and 8) Enhance public awareness on marine resource conservation.

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