Major new destination planned in Phetchabun

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An eco-tourism icon in Asia-Pacific is being planned for the northeastern province of Phetchabun, with Bt3 billion earmarked for the first phase alone, to prove that the growing number of visitors will not always cause environmental damage.

The master plan and financial feasibility study for the project, set to take shape near Si Thep National Park, was completed by Hong Kong-based Synergy Global Property Alliance Corporation, which worked with Thai and international tourism organisations. The company is confident that implementation will be smooth even though the project will cover a vast area of 1,443 rai.

“The feasibility study is based on detailed discussions with local authorities. The concept of the project is to blend in with the local community, its history and life-style. It is designed to enhance local and international tourism in the area in an ecological responsible way,” Thomas Verlohr, a director of SGA, said in an e-mail interview recently.

“For example, one aspect of the project is self-sustainable eco-farming, which will be designed to work together with the farming community in the area,” he said.

Another director, Graham Catterwell, is certain that the project will not meet any opposition from the locals as small plots had to be assembled and that was completed with cooperation and coordination with local villagers.

The locals are also working on the project site and their role will increase as the project moves forward. Local village headmen participated in the planning of the project, and any concerns and desires have been accommodated from the inception.

“Not only is the project a model of environmental friendliness, it also provides direct benefits to the neighbouring community,” Catterwell said.

The landowner has already…

Full story from The Nation at http://goo.gl/1dyti