ECONOMIC FACTORS
Unlike Railey, the climbing in Koh Yao Noi is still a relatively ‘small business’. Nonetheless, it provides an important source of income for local communities on the island.
“Rock climbing is a large part of the economy of Tha Khao [one of the villages on Koh Yao Noi], as well as the island in general. Bungalows, restaurants, massage shops, local boatmen and so on, are all losing business because of the closure,” explained Ms Miner. “Tha Khao is the closest village to the climbing routes, and it is where boats to the climbing areas depart from, so this is the village that is being most affected.”
Though rock climbers are not known for being five-star hotel guests, the money they spend is mostly directly injected into local communities instead of feeding the profits of large travel organizations, explained Mr Mereu, who works for a large travel company in Phuket.
“Closing Koh Yao Noi simply means deliberately obstructing the growth and the respectability of Thailand as a world-class climbing destination, and most importantly, depriving the local community of an additional income that would otherwise be entirely lost.”
However, Mr Worapot said that the closure of the routes will not have any major impact on tourism or local businesses on the island.
“Only a small number of the tourists who come to Koh Yao Noi do so for climbing. The safety and lives of those visiting our park is much more important than the small amount of income that can be derived by allowing the activity. I hope that people will understand this and enjoy other activities offered on our island,” Mr Worapot said.
- See more at: http://m.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Park-chief-kills-Koh-Yao-Noi-climbing/62900#sthash.ES5py0FH.dpuf