User:Simonhantly/Responsible Tourism in Thailand

Responsible Tourism is a relatively modern concept in the kingdom of Thailand, that took root in the late 1990s. It is underpinned by the belief that

tourism should develop in a mannner that minimizes negative impacts on local communities, and wherever possible ensure that a positive symbiosis exist

between hosts and visitors. Responsible travel promotes a respect for indigenous culture, the minimization of the negative environmental impacts of tourism,

active participation in volunteering to assist local communities, and the structuring of businesses to benefit the final service provider rather than an

international agent.

Evolution
Inbound tourism to Thailand developed exponentially over the last four decades into a mainstay of the Thai economy. The tourism industry in Thailand today is

diverse, offering a broad spectrum of services and accommodation acrtoss the kingdom, ranging from grass-thatched bungalows through to international five

star hotels that are recognized as global leaders in the hospitality field. The tendency to support and promote responsible tourism in the nation was aligned

to the development of environmental concern over the ravages often caused by tourism both within Thailand and abroad.

Promotion of Responsible Tourism in Thailand
In July 2009, the German Ambassador to Thailand, Hanns Schumacher, noted ''"Investment in eco-friendly tourism is the only way to create sustainable income

in tourism. In some cases, the ecological destruction could cost much more to repair than the investment to prevent it."'' His comments reflected the

impressions of many visitors to the country who witness a lack of proper waste management, poorly managed water supply and sanitation, and construction that

damages the environment.

Responsible Tourism and the Thai Sufficiency Economy
The fundamental factors of responsible - or sustainable - tourism in Thailand are readily understood within the country to reflect the monarch's concept of a

Thailand_sufficiency_economy with its emphasis on moderate, self-dependent life without greed or overexploitation of natural resources.