Israngkura Adis
Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), Bangkok, Thailand.
Mar Policy. 2022 Mar;137:104972. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.104972. Epub 2022 Jan 31.
COVID-19 and subsequent government health containment measures have slowed down economic activities worldwide, particularly tourism. With the number of foreign tourists entering Thailand during 2020 and 2021 greatly diminished, the number of tourists at marine and coastal attractions in Southern Thailand has declined as well. This study found evidence of a relationship between the decline of the number of tourists and marine resource recovery. This recovery appears in the form of cleaner beaches, clearer seawater and increased sighting of marine animals. Between 2020 and 2021, official reports found increased sighting of dugongs, dolphins, blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks, leopard sharks, sea turtles, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, and false killer whales at marine national parks in Southern Thailand. The study also found that, prior to the COVD-19 outbreak, the number of tourists at Patong Beach and Maya Bay exceeded their tourism carrying capacities. Finally, this study proposes eight policy measures related to tourism management for marine resource sustainability: conservation and recreation zoning, enforcing marine park closure, redesigning marine park entrance fee systems, ensuring adequate recreational facilities, stricter enforcement of the law, promoting alternative tourism sites, encouraging more inclusivity and participation in decision making processes, and enhancing public awareness.
新冠疫情及随后政府采取的卫生防控措施减缓了全球经济活动，尤其是旅游业。2020年和2021年期间，进入泰国的外国游客数量大幅减少，泰国南部海洋和沿海景点的游客数量也有所下降。本研究发现了游客数量下降与海洋资源恢复之间存在关联的证据。这种恢复表现为海滩更清洁、海水更清澈以及海洋动物的目击量增加。2020年至2021年期间，官方报告发现泰国南部海洋国家公园儒艮、海豚、黑鳍礁鲨、鲸鲨、豹纹鲨、海龟、绿海龟、玳瑁和伪虎鲸的目击量有所增加。该研究还发现，在新冠疫情爆发之前，芭东海滩和玛雅湾的游客数量超过了其旅游承载能力。最后，本研究提出了八项与旅游管理相关的政策措施，以实现海洋资源的可持续性：保护和休闲分区、强制关闭海洋公园、重新设计海洋公园门票系统、确保充足的休闲设施、更严格地执法、推广替代旅游景点、鼓励更多的包容性并参与决策过程，以及提高公众意识。
