The Nature Interpretation programme aims to provide quality
information on the natural environment for tourists. NESSThai will assist local
organisations, tourism operators, staff at hotels etc., in developing informative trails,
information packs, brochures, signs etc., and all sorts of other interpretive materials
about the local environment and nature.� |
Nature
Interpretation
Thailand's natural beauty is breath-taking,
from the astonishing karst landscape of Krabi, Phang Nga, and Surat Thani, to the lush
forests of the Northern and Western mountains, to the bleak beauty of the plateau in the
Northeast. But to many visitors and even domestic travellers it is difficult to make sense
of these places, difficult to see the trees for the forest, or to appreciate the diversity
and fragility of these environments.
Unfortunately, even in national parks in
Thailand, there are few well-maintained sign-posted trails, or other nature interpretation
to enable the visitor to gain greater appreciation for the environment around them.
Tourism operators, particularly small-scale operators from the local community, who might
provide their guests with more information about the natural environment in their area,
are often handicapped by limited foreign language skills, and a limited understanding of
the kinds of information sought by the international visitor. Recognising this weakness,
and believing that nature interpretation can serve a valuable role in conservation,
NESSThai provides training and information support in nature interpretation for tourism
operators, conservation area wardens, and other groups interacting with travellers. We see
this as one of our more critical activities in terms of extension.
Research to Hit the Target
To ensure NESSThai's support reaches its
target, and that travellers genuinely gain added value from their experience because of
this support, NESSThai is also conducting research into:
Examples of excellence in nature
interpretation in Thailand (which can serve as models for other tourism operators etc.);
International and domestic visitor demands
for nature interpretation - what kinds of information would you like?, how would you like
it to be presented?, what kinds of tours would you participate in?, what does not work for
you?; and
International and domestic visitor natural
tourism disappointments - when have you been on a nature tour and felt that you were
missing something?, which places did you feel did not live up to their reputation, and
why?, what kinds of information, guidance, advice do you feel you were lacking that might
have helped you to get more out of your experience?
If you have an example of excellence you would
like to share with us, demands for nature interpretation, or disappointments in nature
tourism, please email us and let us know
how we can support nature interpretation in Thailand. |