Landscape change trends and their impacts on coastal tourism resources in the future: a case study from pak Phanang, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impacts of landscape change on natural tourism resources in coastal areas of Pak Phanang and to estimate future landscape changes. Data on tourism resources, land covers and coastline modification were collected on a random basis and combined with in-depth interviews of key informants. Data analysis seeking to demonstrate future coastline modification and projections interpreted satellite imagery using the hybrid approach to generate periodic coastal maps and the Dinamica EGO program to analyze future change rates of the coastline and landscape change. The results found that during 2021–2036, the areas of rice/vegetable farms, mudflats, beaches,and beach forests are likely to increase. The impacts on tourism resources can be negative or positive. The negative impacts arising from such changes include the decrease in the number of beaches in the southeast area and the increase in mudflats in Pak Phanang. The positive impacts include the beaches and beach forests in the northeast area increasing. These results can equip governments, communities and tourists with knowledge on the changes in landscape and tourism areas to prepare and adjust for such changes in the future.