Tourists Expectation And Perception Towards Environmental Issue Management For Green Tourism Of Khao Yai National Park

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to evaluate tourists perceptions of environmental issue management in Khao Yai National Park, where has been inscribed as a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Dong Phaya YenKhaoYai Forest Complex since 2005. The information could assist in addressing tourists perception in order to improve the management of the site for sustainable green tourism. The current study was carried out in 4 sites located in the complex. The sample size for this research is 654 tourists. The study analyzes six issues of environmental issue management, which are pollution, facilities, safety, regulation enforcement, eco-tourism activities, and stakeholder collaboration. Each dimension was rated both in term of expectation and perception. Positive gaps are found between the scores of perception and expectation of environmental issue management, implying that environmental issue management in the complex is more effective than tourists expect it to be.