Promoting carbon-neutral snorkeling tourism in the coral reefs at Mu Ko Tao, Gulf of Thailand to achieve Net-Zero Tourism

Tourism is one of the largest industries globally, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within the tourism industry, marine tourism is a rapidly expanding segment. Tourism-related activities significantly contribute to global carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of total worldwide emissions. Thailand's marine tourism industry is one of the most popular and widely attended tourism activities worldwide, attracting tourists worldwide. This study aims to assess the impact of a snorkeling route, Ko Nang Yuan and Ao Muang for a one-day trip at Mu Ko Tao, Surat Thani Province, in the Western Gulf of Thailand, which is recognized as one of Thailand's most popular snorkeling destinations. We use the Life Cycle Assessment method (LCA), focused on the Carbon Footprint (CF) impact category, to assess the carbon dioxide emissions associated with transportation, accommodation, food and beverages, and waste management. The results showed that the carbon dioxide emission associated with the snorkeling route was approximately 7.89 kg CO2 eq./person. Of this total, transportation accounted for nearly 69.8%, food consumption contributed 28.8%, and waste management practices made up 1.4%. Transport by wooden boats with diesel engines resulted in the highest carbon dioxide emissions; therefore, alternatives were proposed to reduce these impacts by transitioning to electric, hybrid, or more fuel-efficient boats. In terms of food consumption, it would be ideal to prioritize purchasing food from local farmers and fishers. This would help reduce transportation emissions associated with food delivery. Additionally, it is encouraged to utilize seasonal fruits, vegetables, and seafood, as these items require less energy for production and transportation. For carbon offsetting, the ZERO CARBON application has been designed as a tool for accurately quantifying and offsetting carbon emissions produced by tourism operations. By utilizing advanced emission-tracking methodologies, the platform enables operators to counterbalance their carbon footprint through scientifically vetted environmental projects, such as afforestation, reforestation, and renewable energy systems, thereby contributing to measurable reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Finally, the findings are critically analyzed, and a series of mitigation strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are proposed. These strategies focus on implementing sustainable practices and the establishment of rigorous environmental commitments among marine tourism providers, stakeholders, and local communities. The proposed measures aim to systematically reduce emissions and support the transition towards achieving Net Zero Tourism.