In the category of socio-culture, a destination should respect the socio-cultural authenticity of its host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. (UNEP, 2001). As stated in the theoretical framework, the socio-cultural impacts on a destination can be both positive and negative. According to Global Development Research Center, tourism can enhance local cultural awareness (2008). While observing Koh Tao I found that the Thais conserve their cultural heritage and traditional values through performing arts, such as the traditional fire dancing. I also found that the traditional holiday of Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration is a very much celebrated holiday by locals and even by tourists.
Another positive impact of tourism is on the arts and crafts industry. The fact that while walking the streets in Koh Tao one can find many shops with traditional wood carvings and handmade jewelry shows that they are popular amongst tourists who buy them as souvenirs and great for the local Thai people who make them and sell them. After interviewing Nakasai Korn, a Thai on the committee for the Save Koh Tao foundation, I found that tourists are informed about some Thai culture because of the relationships between Thai people and tourists. There are many Thais working at the resorts in Koh Tao where tourists are diving so it becomes a multi-cultural area.
Tourism can enhance local cultural awareness (Global Development Research Center , 2008). It was shown in Koh Tao that the local cultural awareness has been greatly enhanced due to tourism. The following is a quote made by a member of the Save Koh Tao foundation which is one explanation as to how tourism has enhanced local cultural awareness.