Ecotourism in Thailand - Case Study Example

Ecotourism Case Study Ecotourism Case Study Ecotourism is a journey that is made to natural places that are protected from destruction to prevent overuse or depletion of the natural resources. Lovers of nature take such trips in order to enjoy the serene conditions nature has to offer especially in areas, which are less visited. Ecotourism is unique because it is concerned with the protection of the environment; participants always have an obligation to protect the environment actively. Some of the attributes that ecotourism include; frequent educational initiatives are undertaken. Secondly, there is involvement in the decision-making process.Thirdly, there is a valuation of cultural activities of the community within and local communities giving assistance to in the initiative of protecting the natural resources(Nature,2014). Thailand is endowed with a lot of natural resources and ecotourism sites. The ecotourism sites offer spectacular sceneries. Some of the destinations that attract visitors frequently include the Bokeo nature reserve, Chiang Mai, Ko Talu Island and Kaeng Kranchan National Park. These attraction sites offer different kinds of activities that are distinct from any other ordinary tour. The ecotourism sites offer unusual, exciting, and daring experience given the numerous kinds of wildlife found in the sites. Interestingly, visitors can interact with tigers and play with their cubs. Lovers of adventure can also take elephant rides, watch birds of different species flying, and participate in hikes inside the ecosystems. Some of the lodges that offer accommodation include the Asadang bed and breakfast, Ariyasomvilla, Praya Palazzo, Sala arun and many others. Visitors show their appreciation for nature by viewing birds flying early in the morning at the Doi Inthanon tourist attraction centre (Wild Planet Adventures, 2014). The travel document for the planned ecotourism will cover two weeks. On the first day, students will arrive at Thailand’s capital city airport of Bangkok. We will be welcome by officials of ecotourism site and head to a nearby hotel for supper. The night will be spent at Bhuthorn and Arum residence. On the second day, students will tour Chiang Mai by bus. The site has both an Elephant camp and a Tiger Rescue Center. During the day, students will be given time to play with the elephants and have a photo session. The next stop will be at the Tiger rescue Center where we will play with cubes for 30 minutes. Those who would have carried food for the animals will be allowed to feed them given that the management does not restrict the act. Students are anticipated to raise a question and answers session so that they can ask questions that have been nagging them on wildlife. The third-day students will rise early in order to enjoy the amazing bird watching event that Mother Nature has to offer. Chiang Mai has a wide variety of birds species that are less spotted worldwide. Students will have the option of either going to cooking session or proceed to have an eye of the famous Buddhist temple that is adjacent to the waterfall. During the evening, students will be entertained a rare dance show event by the locals while having supper. The night will be spent at Lanna mantra Ping River Hotel. The following day we will expect to visit Kaeng Krachan National park. The following events will be undertaken during the day include having a hiking event, watching wildlife and birds and camping during the night.There are different kinds of animals in this park including leopards, deer, elephants, tigers, and a number of primates. On the fourth day, students will be encouraged to camp at the Deep Jungle (Wild Planet Adventure, 2014). The fifth day will embroil watching birds at the Phangan Though before retreating early to the hotel for rest. Students will wake early again to witness the rare and spectacular bird watching event before proceeding to a nearby waterfall that is a home of birds and monkeys. The next event will involve tracking elephants in their hideouts during the night. Students will spend their evening in the hotel park. Activities that will be carried out on the seventh day include a boat ride at a wildlife sanctuary in the park before having a sumptuous lunch at a waterfall. On the eighth and ninth day, we will go for a hike within the park, and everyone will be expected to carry packed lunch. After lunch, students will take a boat ride to try to discover the habitat for wildlife that is only active during the night. The other 3b days will be used to clean the environment as a sign of concern for the environment. Littered garbage will be collected and disposed properly. There will be a thanks-giving session before students catch a bus to the airport on the last day (Wild Planet Adventures, 2014). Target Market and Market Share The plan targets visitors from all over the world. The ecotourism market is still unexploited and has very few competitors. It is expected to be located in the city of Ottawa and targets both male and female visitors of eighteen years and above. It wishes to control 50% of the market share by ensuring that 80% of the visitors visit our ecosystem. The ecosystem will also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the existing competitors to come up with strategies to counter them (Ecotourism Ireland). Promotional plan The eco tour company will need to carry our rigorous promotional activities in order to create awareness of the services being offered. Having already established the target market, it will be easier to determine the simplest way the eco tour company may succeed in contacting them. The application of various promotion strategies such as sales person, promotion, and advertisement is very vital in creating awareness of the service (Small Business, 2014). The main aim of advertising is to boost the revenue of the eco tour. It ensures that there is awareness of the service offered by the eco tour; it controls the image of the organization in the public domain and attracts customer’s attention. Sales promotion entails actual activities carried out to entice customers to purchase a service. They include activities such as trade fairs, conferences, and workshops. Public relation is concerned about maintenance of a favorable public image by an organization (Small Business, 2014). On the first day, the management will distribute leaflets that have information about the eco tour. The next day the ecotourism company will take participants will be taken through information regarding Chiang Mai Park. During the third day, visitors will be educated about the Tiger Rescue Center and more precisely on club playing. The visitors will be taught using slide shows on the fourth day, about the conservation efforts that have been undertaken by the park. The last day will involve taking a tour around the park to watch wildlife and birds (Wild Planet Adventure, 2014). References Ecotourism Ireland. Marketing your Ecotourism Business. Retrieved [6.11.2014]. < http://www.ecotourismireland.ie/marketing-your-ecotourism-business/> Nature, (2014).The Nature Conservancy: Eco-Trips and Travel. Retrieved [6.11.2014].< http://www.nature.org/greenliving/what-is-ecotourism.xml> Small Business, (2014).Marketing: Promotional Strategy. Retrieved [6.11.2014]. Wild Planet Adventure,(2014).Hidden Thailand 14-Day Ecotour. Retrieved [6.11.2014]< http://wildplanetadventures.com/destinations/?country=thailand&trip=hidden-thailand 14-dayeco-tour>. Read More