Tourism in Surat Thani is largely dependent on and a major user of natural resources
and biodiversity, it is recommended that tourism be specifically addressed by regional
policies that deal with biodiversity and conservation. Thus, this study considered some
key issues for ecotourism development planning in Surat Thani province according to
the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) destinations guideline, in
order to manage tourism and environmental resources, especially ecotourism resources.
UNWTO published an important guideline in 2004 known as indicators of sustainable
development for tourism destinations. This guideline is the result of efforts from over
60 authors working in 20 countries, in both developed and developing countries. Its