Managing Logistic Systems for the Creation of Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Tourism on Koh Lan Coral Island
Taweesak Theppitak
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Nowadays, tourism has become a significant industry in Thailand’s economy. Tourism generates
high revenues, as compared to the revenues from exporting. But, the real value of those revenues must be
weighed against other factors.
Koh Lan is a beautiful example of Thai tourism today. It is an island just out from the beaches of
Pattaya City, in Chonburi province. Koh Lan has become an important tourist destination. However, everincreasing
tourism has created problems there related to the sufficiency of its infrastructure systems and
facilities. These problems include growing demand on natural resources and an escalation of environmental
pollutants. Further, these problems are pointing to an urgent lack of effective logistical planning and
management.
This study applied principles of logistics management to the tourism industry under the
hypothesis that moving tourists from Pattaya to Koh Lan more efficiently and effectively, including
providing an effective transport networking system, would increase and support tourism on Koh Lan.
A demand forecast for tourism into the next decade was statistically calculated in order to provide
recommendations for the improvement of infrastructure systems and facilities.
An objective of this study was to examine an appropriate demand forecast model for tourism
on Koh Lan. The data from this examination could be used for planning and developing
infrastructure systems and facilities, including strategies for transport networks and logistics systems
to support the future growth of tourists into the next decade. Data was collected from secondary and
primary sources, e.g. questionnaire, observation and in-depth interview. The sampling included
tourists, entrepreneurs and governmental agencies. The questionnaire was distributed to 270
potential participants, with 245 questionnaires being returned, for a 90.74 % return rate. Validity and
reliability were examined using statistical methods and experts.
The result showed that a time series would be an appropriate model for a demand forecast. It found
that tourism to Koh Lan would double in the next decade. This result should be used for designing transport
and logistics systems from Pattaya City to Koh Lan. Today, more than 1,500 trips a day by ferry and speedboats
are used for tourist travel from Pattaya City to Koh Lan.
This study showed that effectively designed infrastructure systems and facilities are required to
support sustainable tourism on Koh Lan. Further, this study learned that new and fantastic tourist facilities
