Abstract

This article presents findings from the study on “Guidelines to the Management of Firefly Watching Tour in Thailand”. The study utilized the Delphi technique and 18 experts in 6 fields, namely entomology, mangrove forest, tourism, environment, economy and social science. It reveals the first three priorities for management that include: 1) Campaigning and working on public relations for the conceptual change from the mainstream tour to ‘eco-friendly tour’ through conservation or restoration-related activities and participation from tourists; 2) Managing the tourism based on understanding in nature and; 3) Monitoring environmental changes, both physically and biologically, on a constant basis with collaboration from concerned parties such as Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO), local tour companies and community leaders to create the direction and appropriate patterns of firefly watching tour. Among findings is the management that highly requires collaboration from local people and participation from concerned parties including tour companies, local agencies such as Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO) and municipalities, state agencies and tourists. Furthermore, the finding highlights the use of youth power in order to strengthen the awareness in environment and nature preservation in local communities. By using this, youth will be instilled with knowledge through curriculum at kindergarten, elementary and secondary level. At the end, the nature preservation will exist in them since young ages, along with the sustainability of preservation in their communities.

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