criteria and factors in determining what areas are best suited for an ecotourism
development.
This study has been successful in developing a methodology that identified and
prioritized the potential ecotourism sites using GIS and AHP techniques. The criteria
and factors developed in this study should then be used in monitoring ecotourism
potential and biological diversity conservation in the areas. Those criteria and factors
are very important components in achieving ecotourism development as an integral part
of the sustainable development in the province of Surat Thani. However, the same
principles may be also applicable elsewhere. Beneficially, the final outcome of this
study was the prioritization of the area which is best suited for ecotourism in Surat
Thani. This can also have its implication at the site level environmental management
of ecotourism activity based on ecotourism attractively, ecological fragility and
environmental resilience.
Surat Thani appears to have many attributes and potentials that can be explored and
utilized for a successful ecotourism development. The basic economic system of the
province emphasizes agriculture. Therefore, the major land use/cover was employed as
plantation (53.21 % or 665,634.10 ha) and dense forest (30.49 % or 381,372.70 ha),
respectively. Likewise, Surat Thani has the most rubber plantations in Thailand and the
second largest oil palm growing province. However, these areas should be properly
monitored and protected form and any encroachment. Therefore, the model of further
research work must be applied to determine land evaluation for agricultural lands as
well. On the other hand, dense forest is highly important for ecotourism. Dense forest