Thailand’s Coral College Initiative Promotes Responsible Tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently launched the Coral College project, a bilingual e-learning platform dedicated to educating visitors on marine safety and responsible tourism practices.

Currently in pilot phase in Phuket, this initiative engages partnerships across various sectors and aims to enhance the awareness among more than six million marine tourists who visit the country each year. The project addresses common issues such as harming coral reefs and wildlife due to lack of awareness.

The official launch took place on July 24 at Chalong Pier in Phuket, attended by prominent figures from local government, academic institutions, and marine tourism businesses. Wajanan Silpawornwiwat stated, “Phuket, recognised globally as a top-tier marine tourism destination, is the ideal place to launch this initiative. With its diverse marine ecosystems and steady flow of international visitors, it’s the right place to set a new standard for how tourism and marine conservation can work together.”

Coral College will offer interactive experiences focusing on marine safety and sustainable practices to prepare travelers for snorkeling or diving.

The aim is not just to educate but to improve safety and support the conservation of Thailand’s marine environments, with plans to expand to other coastal provinces like Krabi, Trang, and Surat Thani in the future.