Guidelines to the Management of Firefly Watching Tour in Thailand

Abstract

This article presents findings from the study on "Guidelines to the Management of Firefly Watching Tour in Thailand". The study utilized the Delphi technique and 18 experts in 6 fields, namely entomology, mangrove forest, tourism, environment, economy and social science. It reveals the first three priorities for management that include: 1) Campaigning and working on public relations for the conceptual change from the mainstream tour to 'eco-friendly tour' through conservation or restoration-related activities and participation from tourists; 2) Managing the tourism based on understanding in nature and; 3) Monitoring environmental changes, both physically and biologically, on a constant basis with collaboration from concerned parties such as Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO), local tour companies and community leaders to create the direction and appropriate patterns of firefly watching tour. Among findings is the management that highly requires collaboration from local people and participation from concerned parties including tour companies, local agencies such as Sub-district Administration Organization (SAO) and municipalities, state agencies and tourists. Furthermore, the finding highlights the use of youth power in order to strengthen the awareness in environment and nature preservation in local communities. By using this, youth will be instilled with knowledge through curriculum at kindergarten, elementary and secondary level. At the end, the nature preservation will exist in them since young ages, along with the sustainability of preservation in their communities.

Firefly tourism: Advancing a global phenomenon toward a brighter future

“…They have also run voluntary training programs for tour operators, tourboat guides, local residents and school children. Such programs have raised awareness among diverse stakeholders about ways to benefit local communities while increasing protection for the fireflies and their habitat (Nurancha, Inkapatanakul, & Chunkao, 2013).…”

“Shrimp Watching” Ecotourism in Thailand: Toward Sustainable Management Policy

“…However, invertebrate ecotourism is expanding. Examples of invertebrate ecotourism (reviewed in Lemelin, 2013) includes the mass aggregation of the New Zealand glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) in a cave in New Zealand (Hall, 2012), and firefly watching tours in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, Thailand (Nurancha et al, 2013). Moreover, when invertebrates exhibit mass migration, they could stimulate more attention from tourists (Mavhunga, 2011).…”

Geometric morphometrics as a tool for three species identification of the firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in Thailand

“…Fireflies have the ability to create light by an abdominal light organ, acting as a signal for mating (Goh et al 2013). This feature makes fireflies a focus for humans, with tours conducted to observe them, contributing to the income of people living in the area (Nurancha et al 2013). Fireflies are also important indicators of the integrity of the environment.…”

“…Thailand is one of the tropical countries where fireflies are widely distributed and many species exist (Nurancha et al 2013). The insects also occur in large numbers, making it challenging to identify the correct scientific name as they have highly similar morphology which is difficult to identify in the field using the characteristic external morphology (Deng et al 2016), including firefly.…”