A model for environmentally-friendly food tourism in Ban Koh Klang, Khlong Prasong Sub-District, Mueang District, Krabi, Thailand

This research paper aimed to study the context and tourism resources in the community of Ban Koh Klang, Krabi and also to study a model for environmentally-friendly food tourism in Ban Koh Klang; and in addition it studied tourist satisfaction and its impact on environmentally-friendly food tourism in the same area. The investigation combined both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A study of 400 tourists in Ban Koh Klang found that the overall tourist satisfaction in Ban Koh Klang was at a high level (x̅ = 3.63). The highest level of satisfaction among tourists was with the abundance of resources in the area (x̅ = 4.56).The satisfaction with environmentally-friendly management practices was found to be at a high level (x̅ = 4.03). Results also show that community members believe three local ingredients to be particularly suitable for the promotion of environmentally-friendly food tourism. These are sangyod red rice, pagoda snails and grouper. The research team tested the satisfaction levels of 20 tourists regarding these environmentally-friendly food tourism options in Ban Koh Klang. Results showed that the highest level of satisfaction was with the tourism activities (x̅ = 4.15,SD = 0.377) and the lowest level of satisfaction was with the black crab learning center provision (x̅ = 3.70,SD = 0.718). In order to increase the confidence levels of tourists, the research team analysed the three products in a laboratory to ensure they complied with food safety standards. No alpha-toxins were detected in sangyod red rice. Traces of three heavy metals were detected in pagoda snails - cadmium (0.011 ml/kg), lead (