Biodiversity-based tourism plan moves ahead in Prachuap
Prachuap Khiri Khan is moving ahead with biodiversity-based tourism in three pilot districts as part of plans to support sustainable tourism and create new options for visitors.
Deputy Governor Preeda Sukjai chaired a meeting on 27 May at Prachuap Grand Hotel in Mueang district to follow up on work being carried out under the province’s biodiversity-based tourism programme.
The meeting was attended by representatives from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, conservation networks, community-based tourism groups, consultants from Burapha University and the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office, or BEDO.
Plans for three pilot districts
Officials reviewed the progress of the MBT-GEF 7 project, an integrated biodiversity-based tourism project for sustainable tourism development implemented by BEDO.
The meeting also considered how to include the sustainable biodiversity-based tourism master plan in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s provincial development plan for 2028-2032.
An action plan for 2025-2027 has been prepared for three pilot districts: Pranburi, Sam Roi Yot and Kui Buri.
The meeting also covered a memorandum of understanding, BEDO’s future work plan and the results of work carried out by 12 community groups.
Online platforms and community tourism
BEDO’s continuing activities in 2026 will include helping tourism groups access online travel platforms and organising trial trips for travel companies to experience biodiversity-based tourism products that meet agreed standards.
The agency also plans to work with the “Takkai” app or other platforms to support sales, produce documentaries about the project’s results for platforms including UNDP and GEF, and prepare a development manual for use in other areas.
Mr Preeda said Prachuap Khiri Khan generated more than 55 billion baht from tourism and services last year.
He said the main challenge was to attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer and increase spending in the province.
He said biodiversity-based tourism was one area in which Prachuap Khiri Khan had strong potential because of its natural resources and existing community networks.
The province is ready to support BEDO in integrating the master plan and district action plans into the provincial development plan, he said.
The aim is to increase the economic value of tourism while supporting conservation through community participation.
