Acting as a matchmaker, the Office for Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) helped to marry the state-run Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri with X-site Resort Co, which created Es-Ta-Te Camping Resort and Safari for Khao Kheow.

The first among five ecotourism projects scheduled for this year, Es-Ta-Te took a little more than six months to develop.

Competition was not a problem. X-site Resort beat its only rival due primarily to four years of experience in running a similar resort at Koh Lao Liang in Trang.

Panich Pinyowattayakon, X-site's co-founder and managing director, said yesterday that he saw the opportunity in bringing together all the activities at Khao Kheow by offering specialised outdoor sports and safari-tour packages to families. It will soon launch an EQ (emotional quotient) camp for children aged 6-12 during school holidays.

Costing Bt10 million, Es-Ta-Te is expected to break even in three or four years. Khao Kheow Open Zoo benefits from the deal in that it will receive a monthly lease fee of at least Bt100,000 plus Bt300 per visitor from X-site.

Suriya Saengpong, director of the zoo, said there were plans to outsource souvenir shops and restaurants. He said he would rather focus on managing the zoo and welcomed the prospects of increased income for the local community. "So they have something else to do instead of poaching, which is still a problem."

Jittraporn Techahan, director-general of the OSMEP, said she hoped to connect more

SMEs to other natural parks, because demand is surging for ecotourism sites.

Ki Nan Tsui

The Nation