Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Krabi Province: The Scoping Step in a Community Health Impact Assessment (CHIA)

Abstract

The scoping step is an essential component of any community health impact assessment (CHIA) that intends to: 1) identify the determinants of health as a public concern, 2) set the boundaries, and 3) determine the indicators for assessment. In the present study, the scoping step of health impact assessment aimed to explore the indicators for CHIA in community based tourism (CBT) in Krabi. A public scoping workshop was conducted to establish the scope of health affecting the Krabi Province community living on tourism. Content analysis method was used for analyzing data. 

Results showed that three particular domains should be addressed in the CHIA process for   CBT. First was the economic aspect that referred to equitable distribution of revenue from goods and services and effective income allocation. Second was society and culture, it is to say the necessary social integration to strengthen community relationships, promotion of resources conservation, community participation in resources management, community involvement in service  consideration, and value of local wisdom. Third was ecology and environment relating to the abundance of natural resources, and quality of natural resources database.

All of the domains can be used for creating tools and methods for the assessment step. Understanding and assessing the impact of community based tourism is vital to maintaining sustainability and long term success of CBT industry.