Title: An exploratory perspective on sustainable tourism as wise-use of a protected wetland in Thailand

Authors: Subas P. Dhakal

Addresses: School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus, Bilinga 4221, Australia

Abstract: The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has for the first time formally recognised the role of tourism at the 2012 Conference of the Parties. This recognition is likely to catalyse sustainable tourism (ST) as wise-use of wetlands (WW) - balancing ecological and socio-economic priorities - in developing countries like Thailand. However, a comprehensive understanding of policy intricacies and community realities is necessary in order for the ST-WW nexus to materialise. This paper responds to this need and utilises a community-capitals framework to assess the challenges and opportunities associated with ST in a protected wetland on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Keywords: community-capitals framework; policy conflict; Ramsar Convention; sustainable tourism; Thailand; protected wetlands; sustainability; developing countries; challenges; opportunities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2014.063079

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2014 Vol.5 No.3, pp.159 - 172

Received: 03 Oct 2012
Accepted: 23 Jun 2013
Published online: 29 Jul 2014 *

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