CLIMATE-SMART ECOTOURISM CONFRONTING EXTREMEE CLIMATE
Keywords:
Seasonal Ecotourism, Climate Smart Tourism, Extreme Climate Events, Taxonomy, Social-Ecological ResilienceAbstract
Climate extremes are becoming increasingly severe and have directly affected tourism resources and community livelihoods. This academic article presents an integrated framework that combines economic activity classification standards (taxonomy) with sustainable tourism management principles by applying a Climate-smart Tourism approach to enhance the adaptive capacity of tourism stakeholders and systematically reduce disaster-related risks. The study employs a document analysis approach by examining publications from tourism-related agencies, United Nations, UN Tourism, and national and international scholarly research published between 2021 and 2026. Thematic synthesis was applied to synthesize key findings and formulate recommendations for destination design strategies that respond effectively to seasonal climate crises and ecosystem carrying capacity constraints. The findings identify three major dimensions: 1) the application of economic activity taxonomy standards as a foundation for tourism development 2) the implementation of innovative management approaches focused on sustainability and 3) the design of seasonal ecotourism and cultural tourism products tailored to the contextual conditions of Thailand. These approaches can serve as strategic mechanisms for enhancing preparedness and managing uncertainties arising from climate variability across different seasons. Emphasis is placed on strengthening socio-ecological resilience within host communities, reducing losses caused by natural disasters, and improving Thailand as a safe and sustainable tourism destination. Furthermore, these strategies support the country’s capacity to respond effectively and intelligently to future global climate fluctuations and uncertainties.
References
Bank of Thailand. (2025a). Thailand background: Policy context on climate change (S01_TH_ Thailand Background). https://www.bot.or.th/content/dam/bot/financial-innovation/ sustainable-finance/green/taxonomy/S01_TH_Thailand%20Background.pdf
Bank of Thailand. (2025b). Thailand taxonomy-Energy sector (07_TH_Thailand_Taxonomy-
Booking.com. (2026). Booking.com’s latest travel and sustainability research reveals unexpected generational paradox. https://news.booking.com/bookingcoms-latest-travel-and-sustainability-research-reveals-unexpected-generational-paradox
Buhalis, D., Yang, J. (2024). Smart Tourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74923-1_175
Butler, R. W. (2001). Seasonality in tourism: Issues and implications. In Seasonality in
tourism (pp. 5-21). Routledge.
Chalermpong, S., Sanghatawatana, P., Wongkaew, W., Thaithatkul, P., & Anuchitchanchai, O. (2026). Challenges in climate action planning and implementation in developing countries: A case study of low-carbon urban mobility governance in Thailand. Transportation Research Record, 2680(2), 938-947. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981251368329
Cooper, MA., Buckley, R. (2024). Ecotourism. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of
Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74923-1_65
Cohen, E. (1972). Toward a sociology of international tourism. Social research, 39(1), 164-182.
Czyz, M., & Javed, M. (2025). Revolutionizing travel: The role of smart tourism technologies in
enhancing tourist satisfaction and shaping sustainable destination images: Insights from Istanbul. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 58(1), 446– 455. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.58141-1426Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization). (n.d.). Low carbon tourism. Smart DASTA. Retrieved June 17, 2026, from https://smartdastaapp.dasta.or.th
Demiröz, M., Åberg, H. E., & De Luca, C. (2025). Shaping the relation between heritage and
tourism: Taxonomies of sustainable cultural tourism for local development. Heritage
& Society, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159032X.2025.2470077
Dube K. (2024).Evolving Narratives in Tourism and Climate Change Research: Trends, Gaps,
and Future Directions. Atmosphere.; 15(4):455. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040455
Folke, C. (2006). Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems
analyses. Global environmental change, 16(3), 253-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.04.002
Fuente-Robles, Y. M. D. L., Muñoz-de-Dios, M. D., Mudarra-Fernández, A. B., & Ricoy-Cano, A.J.(2020).
Understanding stakeholder attitudes, needs and trends in accessible tourism: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Sustainability, 12(24), 10507. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410507
Gössling, S., & Scott, D. (2025). Tourist demand and destination development under climate
change: complexities and perspectives. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2543953
Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2015). Smart tourism: foundations and
developments: U. Gretzel et al. Electronic markets, 25(3), 179-188.
Inmor, S., Na-Nan, K., Phanniphong, K., Jaturat, N., & Kustka, M. (2025). The role of smart
green tourism technologies in shaping tourist intentions: Balancing authenticity and sustainability in natural tourism. Environmental Challenges, 19, 101171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2025.101171
Jackson, G. (2022). Ecotourism. In H. Shugart (Ed.), Oxford research encyclopedia of
environmental science. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.378
Liu, J., Hall, C. M., Zhu, C., & Ting Pong Cheng, V. (2024). Redefining the concept of smart
tourism in tourism and hospitality. Anatolia, 35(3), 566-578. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2023.2282712
Loehr, J., & Becken, S. (2021). The tourism climate change knowledge system. Annals of
Tourism Research, 86, 103073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103073
Pappas, N., Michopoulou, E., & Farmaki, A. (2023). Tourism innovation and resilience during
uncertainty. Tourism Planning & Development, 20(2), 135-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2023.2176647
Plog, S. (2001). Why destination areas rise and fall in popularity: An update of a Cornell
Quarterly classic. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 42(3), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010880401423001
Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A review of recent research and trends. Journal of
hospitality and tourism management, 36, 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005
Rizaldi, A. S., Rumanti, A. A., & Andrawina, L. (2024). Sustainable tourism industry in
Indonesia through mapping natural tourism potential: Taxonomy approach.
Sustainability, 16(10), 4201. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104201
Saarinen, J., & Hall, M. C. (2025). Towards good governance in tourism. In Handbook on
tourism governance (pp. 384-393). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800374287.00039
Sachs, J. D., Schmidt-Traub, G., Kroll, C., Lafortune, G., & Fuller, G. (2023). Sustainable
Development Report 2023: Implementing the SDGs. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.25546/102924
Samancioglu, E., Kumlu, S., & Ozkul, E. (2024). Smart tourism destinations and sustainability:
Evidence from the tourism industry. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 16(6), 680–693. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2024-0167
Sangnak, D. (2025). Sustainable tourism development in Thailand: The role of agricultural
tourism and government support for SMEs. Sustainable Futures, 9, 100782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100782
Scott, D., Gössling, S., & Hall, C. M. (2012). International tourism and climate change. Wiley
Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 3(3), 213-232. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.165
SDSN. (2024a). About the SDSN and COP Resource Hub. Retrieved from
https://www.unsdsn.org/resources/cop-resource-hub/
SDSN. (2024b). Guide to sustainable tourism. Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
https://files.unsdsn.org/2020%20Guide-to-a-sustainable-tourism-web.pdf
Simpson, M.C., Gössling, S., Scott, D., Hall, C.M. and Gladin, E. (2008) Climate Change
Adaptation and Mitigation in the Tourism Sector: Frameworks, Tools and Practices. UNEP, University of Oxford, UNWTO, WMO: Paris, France.
Sommese, F. (2024). Nature-based solutions to enhance urban resilience in the climate
change and post-pandemic era: a taxonomy for the built environment.
Buildings, 14(7), 2190. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072190
Sutthichaimethee, P., Saraphirom, P., & Junsiri, C. (2025). Efficiency of national governance in
managing long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction in the agricultural sector towards the Thailand 5.0 goal. Sustainability, 17(9), 3959. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093959
Wang, Z., Xue, Z., Zhang, X., Yan, H., & Liu, G. (2025). Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change
in Pastoral Areas. Sustainability, 17(3), 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031337
Wathinputthiporn, D., & Sukiam, K. (2025). Value co-creation of carbon-neutral tourism route:
a case in Thailand. Anatolia, 36(2), 319-332. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2024.2404922
Wilkins, E. J., & Horne, L. (2024). Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate
change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review. PLoS Climate, 3(4), e0000266. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000266
World Tourism Organization. (WTO) (2023a), Climate Action in Tourism – An overview of
methodologies and tools to measure greenhouse gas emissions, UNWTO, Madrid, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284423927.
World Tourism Organization. (WTO).(2023b, December 5). Tourism at COP28 – delivering on
the climate action commitments of the Glasgow Declaration. United Nations World Tourism Organization.https://www.untourism.int/news/tourism-at-cop28-delivering-on-the-climate-action-commitments-of-the-glasgow-declaration
Xiao, X., Li, P., & Seekamp, E. (2024). Sustainable adaptation planning for cultural heritage in
coastal tourism destinations under climate change: A mixed-paradigm of preservation and conservation optimization. Journal of Travel Research, 63(1), 215–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875221143479
UNEP. (2023). Transforming tourism value chains: Climate’s knowledge products. United
Nations Environment Programme. https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/unep-transforming-tourism-value-chains-climates-knowledge-products
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 วารสารมนุษยศาสตร์และสังคมศาสตร์เพื่อการพัฒนาท้องถิ่น
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which allows others to share the article with proper attribution to the authors and prohibits commercial use or modification. For any other reuse or republication, permission from the journal and the authors is required.
