Eco-tourism: Krabi Province, Thailand.

Having been a long-term operator of green operations and charter yachts in the region, Jos Hare reviews the current developments in Eco-tourism in the Krabi province.

Yacht Seraph. Credit Seraph 1906.

Background B

Krabi Provence is an area of incredible natural beauty, with towering limestone karst cliffs, turquoise waters, white sand beaches and tropical islands. It is also a biodiversity hotspot and contains a number of National Parks including three Marine National Parks (designated as IUCN cat II Marine protected areas. MPA's) and one RAMSAR site (Wetland of International Importance). In 2020 local government started "Karbi Goes Green" banding for the province. As with most of the planet, the biodiversity and natural habitat in the region are increasingly under pressure. Tourism, over-fishing, palm oil plantations, coastal development and plans for a coal fired power station continue to exert pressure on its natural biodiversity, threatening Krabi's existence as a green sustainable destination. Obtaining a balance between local community involvement, conservation, sustainable development and government policy is the key.

The Problem with Travel and Tourism T

Develpment and habitat loss are two of the major threats to global biodiversity. Biodiversity and functioning ecosystems being vital for all life on earth. Tourism and travel with its high carbon emissions and the associated land use tends to exacerbate a lot of the current issues. Not fully discounting the optimism that net-zero can be reached by carbon offsets and electrification, the associated infrastructure developments themselves need careful planning and management. Airports, roads, hotels and increased energy needs all need a green sustainable planning model to provide benefits to biodiversity hotspots.

Eco-tourism as a Solution S

Eco-tourism and regenerative tourism with community involvement helps to alleviate some of the negative impacts. The best model is the high value, low numbers and low impact sustainable tourism that is led by local communities. It puts a high value on natural resources and biodiversity and results in their long-term sustainable use. The revenue generated can fund sustainable management of National Parks, Protected Areas and increased education in conservation. With a long history of high tourist numbers Krabi Province does not have the luxury of this set up. This increases the need for a more general open plan sustainable model. A model in which Krabi can perhaps lead the way.

A few of the operators O

There has been a large increase in the number of Eco-hotels and green tour operators in the region. All of which are striving to find the balance between genuine green credentials and the expectations of luxury orientated guests.

Anana Eco-resort (Pavilions) is a new 5-star hotel whose architecture is typical of any modern hotel building, but its genuine ecological experiences and a move to become carbon neutral have started to lead the way in green tourism. The resort is also Green Globe certified.

Anana Eco-resort. Credit Anana Eco-Resort Krabi

With its seventy-two white villas and suites overlooking the Koh Hong islands, the new Bayan Tree Krabi doesn't fit into eco-resort or boutique category, it does however have the Earth Check Bronze Benchmark award. The most prestigious in the hotel industry.

Banyan Tree Suite. Credit Banyan Tree Krabi

Ten miles further up coast, along a river inlet is the pristine Thale Lane area. It has numerous small locally run eco-resorts. Most of the resorts here don't have eco-branding or awards. They have always been small low impact sustainable operations. The area is known for wildlife tours and kayaking, all with local guides.

Kayaking Thale Lane Credit Travel South Thailand

For being out in the islands themselves the classic sailing yacht Seraph offers a number of sailing trips per year. The vessel is now mainly used as a research and education vessel, but for several weeks a year she takes guests on a sailing safari though the islands. They check on research and regeneration projects. The guests stay in different eco-resorts and lodges each night, before setting sail again in the morning.

Yacht Seraph. Credit - Seraph 1906 - The Safari