Sun and Sand Holiday Makers’ Assessment of Patong Beach, Thailand
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Abstract
With the increased international popularity of beaches in Phuket, a large number of foreign tourists are flocking there. However, owing to the rapid development of costal tourism there, some major beaches have been damaged by mass tourism and overdevelopment. The aim of this research is to study foreign tourists’ perception of selected beaches in Phuket as sun and sand destinations and investigate the attributes of natural attractions, atmosphere and social ambience, tourism facilities, environmental conditions and activities based on selected trip characteristics, namely, nationality, purpose and frequency of visit. Data was collected by a set of questionnaires distributed to 384 foreign tourists, who visited the beaches in Phuket from February to May 2010. The findings reveal that while boasting tropic warm climate condition, beautiful scenery, clean water and mature tourism infrastructure systems, these destinations also have shortcomings. Beaches are crowded; some places are polluted by trash and litter, there a lack of adequate garbage bins, and designated
bathing areas and the alarm systems are insufficient. The study also indicates that given their different nationalities, the frequency of their visit and purpose, foreign tourists have statistically different perception of Patong beach. The recommendations made include enhancing the infrastructure, strengthening the beach environmental management as well providing more
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