LOCAL AGENDA 21 AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN TRANG

 

INTRODUCTION

The first phase of the Thai-Swedish Cooperation Programme on Local Agenda 21 was carried out between March 2000 and August 2002. The first phase emphasized on capacity building for sustainable development and to get started with a Local Agenda 21 process in Trang and Korat municipalities.

 

The second phase is aiming at further support of Local Agenda 21 and sustainable tourism development in Trang. The experience gained in the project will be used for Local Agenda 21 and sustainable tourism development in other areas of Thailand. The project will be carried out during two years from May 2005 to August 2007. The partners of the project are Trang municipality and LIFE Partners. The funding agency of the project is Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

 

OVERALL AIM

The overall aim of the project is to secure a long term sustainable development process in Trang, where the tourism sector is integrating environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects in all kinds of tourism activities, and that the responsibility of all stakeholders involved is to contribute with their part.

 

TARGET GROUPS

The main target groups of the project are following kind of organizations:

 

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The project objectives are followings;

1. A comprehensive and coordinated development of sustainable tourism in partnership between tourism stakeholders and Trang Municipality.

 

2. Improved capacity on sustainable tourism management in the municipal organization and tourism stakeholders

 

3. Further developed tourism resources in Trang in order to meet tourist demand (foreign) and various sustainability requirements (environmental, social and quality aspects). Cooperation between Swedish and Thai tourism organizations.

 

4. A coordination and supply of tourism information material including eco-friendly activities for tourists

 

5. An increased awareness and improved capacity on Local Agenda 21 in neighbouring districts such as Kantang and Sikao in order to strengthen their ability to manage sustainable tourism and SD issue

 

6. Improved capacity of Trang Municipality to work with local sustainable development (Local Agenda 21) on a long term basis including SD indicators, sustainable sector planning for tourism and green procurement etc.

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

- Network/ Forum for Sustainable Tourism Development

- Guideline for Sustainable Tourism

- Policy/ Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism

- Policy, Action Plan& Implementation of Projects in Pilot Tourist Organisations

- Information Materials for Tourists

- Documents on Local Agenda 21 and sustainable tourism in neighbouring districts

- A set of Indicators for Sustainable Development in Trang municipality

 

APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

The main approach and methodology to be used in the project are as follows:

I Local Agenda 21 Model

- Step by step work

 

I Participatory Approach

- Stakeholders are responsible actors/ participation is voluntarily

 

I Demand Side Criteria

- Market demand (foreign) defines sustainable tourism criteria

I Capacity Building, Technical Support and Homework

- International advisors support stakeholders

 

ACTIVITIES

The activities of the project during two years are following:

- Stakeholder Dialogue (incl baseline data collection)

- Starting Forum (Stakeholder Forum for Sustainable Tourism in Trang)

- Mapping of Trang Tourism Resources and Risks

- Inventory of Foreign Market Demand ( Sweden as reference case)

- Production of Guideline for Sustainable Tourism (ST)

- Formulation of Policy/ Master Plan for ST in Trang (including 5 pilot sites)

- Formulation of Policy & Action Plan in Pilot Stakeholder Org

- Implementation of Projects in Pilot Stakeholder Org (incl small demo-projects)

- Production of Information Materials

- Study Tour to Sweden

- Study Visit to Tourism Places in Thailand

- Swedish Test group to Trang

- Advising on Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Tourism Planning in Trang Districts

- Expert meetings/ Stakeholder Forums/ Workshops etc

 

ADVISORS, EXPERTS AND COOPERATION PARTNERS

Trang will be supported by assistance of experts and advisors from Sweden in the field of LA 21 and sustainable tourism. There will also be Thai experts involved in the project as well as numerous cooperation partners in Trang such as tourism stakeholder, governmental officials and leaders of Trang.

 

CONTACT US

If you want more information or have ideas and suggestions on sustainable tourism in Trang, please contact us at the project office in Trang’s new municipal building.

 

Address: Thai – Swedish Cooperation Programme

Local Agenda 21 and Sustainable Tourism Development in Trang

Trang Municipality

Wisetkul Road, Muang

Trang, 92000

 

Telephone: 075 – 218017 ext. 1164, 1209

Fax: 075 – 211493

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