SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS OF ANDAMAN COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN THAILAND THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the success of CBT and the sustainable livelihoods dimensions and to identify how its success led to the sustainable livelihoods. The number of 59 respondents was estimated the sample size, based on the G*Power 3.1.9.2 computer software guide for sample size decisions, at 0.05 level of significance, 0.25 of effect size, and 0.95 of power. Quantitative data were analyzed by using simple linear regression. The first analysis found that the success of CBT variable explained a substantial variance in the dependent variable, 73 percent of sustainable livelihoods in economic. It will be noted that the success of CBT displayed a significant, positive linkage with the sustainable livelihoods outcome in economic with a beta coefficient of 0.85 (p < 0.001). Secondly, the success of CBT variable explained a substantial variance in the dependent variable, the sustainable livelihoods in social. It also revealed that the model significantly explained the variance of sustainable livelihoods in social which was equal to 68 percent. The beta coefficient of this model was 0.83 (p < 0.000). It appeared that the success of CBT had a great impact on the sustainable livelihoods in social. Finally, the success of CBT was independent variable and the sustainable livelihoods outcomes in environment were dependent variable. The variance is explained at the level of 55 percent. The success of CBT significantly predicted the sustainable livelihoods outcomes in environment with standardized coefficient of 0.74 (p < 0.000). The results revealed that community- based tourism (CBT) played an important role to local people livelihoods who joined the community- based tourism activities. Specially, it is found that the CBT significantly related to the sustainable livelihood outcomes in economic, social and environmental aspects. The interview of local residents in two cases were conducted to explore their willingness to CBT and it found that, their willingness on tourism issue depended on the benefit that they received. To explore that, if they knew the purpose of activities and it met their needs, the level of willingness was high. However, the unclear of its objectives in CBT activities, the level of willingness intended from medium to low. This study contributes to CBT communities, local people who joined the activities should consider the success factors, including the initiating of activities and the full participation of stakeholders.