Thailand launches a tourism activity to encourage tourists to reduce their carbon footprint

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the “Laughing Island Conqueror vs Low-carbon Footprint Traveller” initiative in Trat’s eastern province, providing tourists with a fun way to help protect nature and the environment while exploring this beautiful part of Thailand. “This exciting new initiative is focused on creating awareness and understanding among tourists of the ‘carbon footprint’ from their daily activities and travels,” said TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. It encourages them to engage in responsible tourism, which is an important component of the “Visit Thailand Year 2022: Amazing New Chapters” campaign.

From May to July 2022, the “Laughing Island Conqueror vs Low-carbon Footprint Traveller” initiative invites tourists to visit a unique Trat route that includes Ko Mak (low-carbon destination) – Ko Kradat (Safari Island) – Ko ‘Kai-Hua-Ro’ (Laughing Island).

Tourists will be encouraged to use the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization’s CF Calculator application during their trip to record their travel pattern, distance, tourism activities, and daily food consumption.

The application will then calculate their annual personal greenhouse gas emissions.

With their personal greenhouse gas emissions in mind, the initiative is expected to encourage tourists to seek ways to reduce their personal carbon footprint. Tourists, for example, can walk to ‘Laughing Island’ instead of taking a small boat. They can also eat food that is made from organic ingredients and does not contain any chemicals in the manufacturing process. Alternatively, they can choose to eat food made from locally grown ingredients, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and importation of ingredients.

Tourists can help reduce waste and activities that contribute to the greenhouse effect, PM2.5 dust, and climate change by being mindful of their carbon footprint, all of which have an impact on natural resources and people’s health and well-being. This can be done while they are on vacation in Trat as well as when they return home.

All tourists who participate in the “Laughing Island Conqueror VS Low-carbon Footprint Traveller” initiative will receive a TAT certificate specially designed by a cartoonist from ‘Kai-Hua-Ror,’ Thailand’s long-established cartoon magazine known for its cartoon characters and laugh gags.

The certificate will demonstrate that they have conquered “Laughing Island” and visited Ko Mak, a low-carbon pilot destination based on the ideals of the Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, and Green Economy, or the BCG model. Furthermore, they are aware of their carbon footprint and are responsible tourists.

Tourists can receive a certificate by sending a photo of themselves taken on “Laughing Island” along with their CF Calculator result to the TAT Trat Office or via www.fb.com/tattratoffice by July 31, 2022.