Strengthening coastal livelihoods and community-based tourism

Objectives

This project aimed to strengthen the capacity of community members in designing environment friendly tourism activities, as well as to improve local environmental governance in coastal areas.

Background

Ban Bangkhonthi is a coastal community in Rawai, a sub-district of southern Phuket. Once an isolated fishing village, it now finds itself surrounded by growing urbanization with hotels, resorts and expensive housing. Most people in Ban Bangkhonthi earn a living from small-scale fishing and providing services for tourists.

Target beneficiaries

Twenty-five community members involved in small-scale fishing and earning supplementary income from tourism.

Outputs

• Improved capacity of communities to develop secure livelihoods through environmentally friendly tourism activities.
• Promotion of alternative occupations to protect coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
• Establishment of a youth group called “Young Volunteers” to participate in project activities, such as promoting ecotourism by developing appropriate tour equipment and manuals.
• Establishment of a waste bank in the village and along the beach, supported by the municipality.
• Planting of palm trees and mangroves near tourist sites.

Accomplishments and challenges

Project beneficiaries became more organized in designing eco-friendly tourist products, including a tourist boat facility where boating standards and regulations are displayed.

Challenges

The leadership of the youth group was interrupted during the project, resulting in limited participation by its members. Project meetings were difficult to organize because most participants had regular work or other business during the day. The project resolved this problem by holding meetings in the evenings.

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

Communications

The project increased its visibility by co-hosting an event on water transport safety with local small-scale tourist businesses.

Lessons Learned

Gradually encouraging community members to meet and talk with different stakeholders, especially government agencies, helped to build local confidence and mutual trust.