Community based tourism is tourism in which local residents offer tourists the opportunity to visit a community in order to learn more about its members and its livelihood.  The community invites tourists to stay with them to gain understanding and insight into local wisdom, traditions, and lifestyle.  The community is responsible for developing the tour programs, along with the regulations, activities, and prices for them.  

Ko Yao district is located in Phang-nga Bay between Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi provinces. Ko Yao consists of two large islands, Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai, surrounded by many smaller islands.  Fishery remains the island’s main source of revenue.  Ko Yao Noi is a picturesque island situated in the midst of beautiful limestone rock formations jutting from the crystal clear waters of the bay.  Its amazing scenery alone makes Ko Yao Noi a must-see destination for travelers. 

In 2002, a group called the Ecotourism Club was established by the Ko Yao Noi community.  The goal of this group was to implement the community based tourism concept as a tool that would encourage community involvement in the protection and preservation of Ko Yao Noi’s environment.  By using the home stay model, tourists and the community learn to live together.

Objectives:

• To introduce the lifestyle of traditional fishermen to tourists
• To raise awareness of problems faced by traditional fishermen
• To be an alternative to conventional tourist attractions
• To disseminate the concept of ecotourism to the public
• To create additional sources of revenue for the local people

Awards: 

• National Geographic Magazine, U.S.A.’s World Legacy Award (2002)
• Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Best Organization for Promoting Tourism Award (2002-2006)
  
• Ministry of Sport and Tourism Certified as Home Stay Standard Thailand (2007-2009) 

 

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