Thailand's Diving Tourism Development to Sustainability

Abstract

Thailand is one of the best diving locations with two main diving zones: the Andaman Sea and the gulf of Thailand. Thailand's diving tourism industry has been generating more than 5,000 million baht per year. Meanwhile, the high growth of the diving industry in Thailand cause various problems, such as tourism resources degradation; lack of environmental awareness of the entrepreneurs; weak supervision by law enforcement authorities; circumventing the law by working illegally or hiring foreign tourists. In addition, the business owners, diving instructors and dive master are mostly foreigner. Some foreigners also run diving business through Thai nominees. Consequently, the pattern of diving tourism industry development in Thailand clearly contrasts with sustainable tourism development concept. Documentary research was employed in the study and the results are as follows:  Raising public awareness of environmental issues among local people is urgent. Participation network for natural resources and environmental management should be created. The government organizations need to develop effective management; hire more effective employees; closely monitor and tighten inspection; integrate in-depth information with other organizations; and, adjust any related rules and regulations. They also should create corrective and preventive action plan in both short and long term. Besides, Thailand’s undergraduate program in tourism should develop a curriculum containing both tourism and diving skills.