IST Drives Khao Sok Hospitality Businesses Toward Carbon Neutrality and Low-Carbon Tourism
The “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality for Accommodation Businesses in Khao Sok” initiative connects research-based knowledge, stakeholder engagement, and local partnerships to support Carbon Neutral Hospitality and the development of Khao Sok as a sustainable low-carbon tourism destination.
Connecting Research with Climate Action in Khao Sok
The International School of Tourism, Suratthani Rajabhat University, has advanced climate action through the integration of research, academic service, and collaboration with local networks. The initiative aims to enhance accommodation business management toward Carbon Neutrality while supporting sustainable tourism development in Khao Sok, Surat Thani Province.
The activity was implemented under the research project “Participatory Enhancement of Accommodation Business Management to Promote Carbon Neutrality in Khao Sok, Surat Thani Province,” funded by the Thailand Science, Research and Innovation Fund under the Fundamental Fund for fiscal year 2025. As part of this work, the school organized a Research-based Stakeholder Forum under the theme “Pathway to Carbon Neutrality for Accommodation Businesses in Khao Sok.”
The forum served as a platform for transferring research-based knowledge, exchanging experiences, and jointly designing low-carbon accommodation management approaches that fit the local context of Khao Sok.
Building Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Sustainable Local Development
The forum brought together 30 participants, including representatives from accommodation businesses, five restaurant operators, three educational institutions, Khlong Sok Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Khao Sok National Park, community-based tourism groups, and related agencies. Their participation reflected the development of a multi-stakeholder partnership to drive sustainable local transformation.
The process was grounded in qualitative research and participatory learning. It enabled stakeholders to identify key sources of carbon emissions in hospitality and tourism activities, exchange good practices, and explore practical approaches that can be adapted by accommodation operators in the Khao Sok area.
Four Key Issues from the Carbon Neutrality Forum
The stakeholder forum generated four key areas of knowledge that can serve as a foundation for developing Khao Sok toward a low-carbon tourism destination.
Identifying Carbon Footprint Sources
The forum examined sources of Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas emissions across sectors related to accommodation businesses and tourism services.
Collecting Good Low-Carbon Practices
Good practices covered energy management, waste management, water use, low-carbon mobility, sustainable consumption, eco-friendly materials, green space development, and innovation adoption.
Developing Area-Based Proposals
The project proposed the concepts of “Green Hotel – Khao Sok,” “Low Carbon Lodging Network,” and “Khao Sok Carbon-Neutral Destination.”
Analyzing Stakeholder Roles and Readiness
Stakeholders’ roles, readiness, and limitations were analyzed to identify practical implementation pathways appropriate to the local context.
Khao Sok’s Potential as a Low-Carbon Tourism Destination
The outcomes of the initiative indicate that Khao Sok has strong potential to develop into a Low-carbon Tourism Destination. This potential is driven by collaboration among local partners who are working to improve environmental management based on academic knowledge and research evidence.
The International School of Tourism plays a central role in connecting research, knowledge, and partnership networks. This role supports the reduction of Carbon Footprint, the management of Greenhouse Gas emissions, and the preparation of hospitality businesses for Carbon Neutral Hospitality, which is an important foundation for climate-resilient and sustainable tourism development.
From Research Outcomes to Capacity Building and Community of Practice
To ensure continuity beyond the 2025 fiscal year, the International School of Tourism has further developed the knowledge generated from the project into the “Carbon-neutral Accommodation Management Program” for fiscal year 2026. The program is designed to transfer knowledge and strengthen capacity among local entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the Khao Sok area.
In addition, the school established the “Khao Sok Carbon Neutrality” LINE group as a continuous communication channel for sharing knowledge, updates, and good practices related to carbon management. This initiative supports the creation of a Community of Practice and a multi-stakeholder partnership that can continue driving Climate Action after the completion of the initial activity.
Laying the Foundation for Carbon Neutral Hospitality
The 2025 implementation marks the beginning of a systematic collaboration mechanism among higher education institutions, public agencies, businesses, and local communities to support the transition of accommodation businesses toward Carbon Neutrality.
The research project has been designed as a multi-year research programme. The knowledge and partnerships developed in 2025 will serve as a foundation for future tools and support mechanisms, including low-carbon accommodation management guidelines, capacity-building activities for entrepreneurs, and studies on Greenhouse Gas emissions assessment under Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. These efforts aim to elevate Khao Sok as a model for Low-carbon Tourism Destination and Carbon Neutral Hospitality in a sustainable way.
SDG Report & Relevant Goals
