Phuket tourism is unsustainable: readers' poll

The access road to Khao Khat Viewpoint in Wichit. Photo courtesy of reader 'RM'.

PHUKET: -- More than two-thirds of the respondents to a Phuket Gazette poll believe that the current state of Phuket’s tourism is unsustainable.

Respondents were given the definition of sustainable tourism as “an industry committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people”.

Of the 435 readers who took part in the poll overall, some 68% said that the industry in Phuket is unsustainable. Of these, 35% thought the situation beyond hope of recovery.

Just under 29% said the industry was “Sustainable, but at risk of failing”, while only 9.3% said that Phuket’s tourism was “Sustainable, with no risk of failing.”

Local foreign residents were the most pessimistic, with 78% saying the industry was unsustainable. Of these, 43% said there was no hope of recovery.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-07-22

Does this really come as a surprise to anyone??