Manuscript Title:

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LOGISTICS WITH ENHANCING ECO-TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN EASTERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (EEC), THAILAND

Author:

Dr. TAWEESAK THEPPITAK, Dr. KAMOLPUN NOIJAROEN

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.16314935

Published : 2025-07-23

About the author(s)

1. Dr. TAWEESAK THEPPITAK - Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, Thailand.
2. Dr. KAMOLPUN NOIJAROEN - Faculty of Logistics, Burapha University, Thailand.

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

After covid pandemic, tourism industry faces with huge challenge. Tourism has become a significant industry to drive Thailand’s economy growth. Under Thai government policy, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), has been promoted, as special economic zone to attract global trade and investment. The ECC integrates Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao provinces to develop industrial and economic zones. There are many beautiful and fantastic tourism destinations in EEC. However, the destinations lack sustainable development and connectivity. Ever-increasing tourism has logistically created problems there related to the sufficiency of its infrastructure systems and facilities. Increasing demands negatively affect to natural resources and an escalation of environmental pollutants. Further, these problems reflect the need for providing effective logistical planning and management in tourism industry in EEC. Logistics plays an indispensable role in the tourism industry. The development of tourism logistics for creative eco-tourism requires understanding of the behaviour and needs of tourists together with designing a responsive logistics system for them. This study applies principles of logistics management to the tourism industry under the hypothesis that moving tourists from origin to destinations more efficiently and effectively. It also includes providing an effective transport networking system, would increase and support tourism in EEC. A demand forecast for tourism in next decade was statistically calculated in order to provide recommendations for the improvement of infrastructure systems and facilities. An objective is to examine demand forecast model for tourism industry in EEC. The results can be used for designing and planning infrastructure systems and facilities, including strategies for transport networks and logistics systems to support the future growth. Data are collected from secondary and primary sources, e.g., questionnaire and in-depth interview. The questionnaire is distributed to 400 potential participants, with 382 questionnaires being returned, for a 95.5 percent return rate. Validity and reliability are examined. The result shows that a time series would be an effective model for a demand forecast. It reveals that tourism destinations in EEC would double in the next decade. Effectively designed infrastructure and facilities are required to support sustainable tourism in EEC. The internet and digital platform, and artificial intelligence (AI) are strategic issues for future tourism logistics development. Further, new and fantastic tourist facilities would be increasingly developed in EEC, underscoring the need for an appropriate plan for managing environmental pollution. Finally, a reverse logistics system for garbage management would need to be effectively utilized. Rapidly increasing garbage is a problematic issue for logistics related to a sustainable, green, eco-friendly environment. This study concludes that strategic and integrated logistical management is necessary, with active participation from stakeholders.


Keywords

Tourism Logistics, Sustainable, Demand Forecast, EEC, Thailand.