REGENERATIVE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN PHUKET

Abstract

The concept of sustainable tourism has long been a focal point in tourism literature. However, the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change and over-tourism, suggests that sustainability alone may no longer be sufficient. This is where regenerative tourism emerges, shifting the focus from merely minimizing harm to actively restoring and enhancing ecosystems, communities, and economies through tourism activities. This preliminary research aims to investigate the current state of regenerative tourism development in the context of Phuket, Thailand. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews with six key informants, including local community members, public and business representatives in tourism organizations, and local government officials. The iterative analysis of the interviews revealed several critical themes: waste management issues, insufficient enforcement of laws and regulations, the need for improved stakeholder collaboration, and growing environmental concerns. Additionally, the study highlighted various regenerative tourism practices currently being implemented. This preliminary study reveals four critical challenges in Phuket's regenerative tourism development: systemic waste management failures, insufficient law enforcement and regulations, lack of stakeholder collaboration, and escalating environmental concerns. The findings indicate that transitioning to regenerative tourism requires enhanced infrastructure and waste management systems, strengthened regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, improved stakeholder engagement processes, and comprehensive environmental monitoring systems. This research supports the need for a balanced approach to tourism development that considers environmental and social impacts alongside economic benefits. The implications of this research are significant, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and the optimization of collaboration among relevant tourism stakeholders to foster regenerative tourism in Phuket.