The path towards Responsible Tourism: Let us begin the journey Nicole Häusler Responsible Tourism Consultant 4 July 2013
Brief introduction? Responsible Tourism Consultant (more than 15 years) Associate of International Centre for Responsible Tourism, UK Consultancies in Myanmar on - Responsible Tourism Policy in Myanmar; - Policy on Community Involvement in Myanmar - Tourism Masterplan (forthcoming) Environmental and Social Safeguards Trainer & Facilitator: Responsible Tourism Management (2009) Guide Training (2013)
The path towards Responsible Tourism: Let us begin the journey Nicole Häusler Responsible Tourism Consultant 4 July 2013
Myanmar 2007 Safran Revolution
Election in October 2010
President Thein Sein
Hillary Clinton meets Thein Sein in December 2011
Post Election in April 2012
Consequences: Number of International Arrivals: more than 1 Mio. in 2012
Consequences: Number of International Arrivals: more than 1 Mio. in 2012
but the majority are Asian Tourists
Key Foreign Source Markets into Myanmar (2012) Rank Nationality No. of arrivals % Rank Nationality No. of arrivals % 1 Thailand 94,342 15.9 6 Malaysia 30,499 5.1 2 China 70,805 11.9 7 France 30,064 5.1 3 Japan 47,690 8.0 8 Singapore 26,296 4.4 4 USA 37,589 6.3 9 United Kingdom 24,296 4.1 5 Korea (ROK) 34,805 5.9 10 Germany 23,063 3.9
Content: Recent Developments in Tourism Policy on Responsible Tourism Policy on Community Involvement in Tourism Current Challenges Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities Roles of Cronies Recommendations
Burma Tourism Directory of NLD The NLD would welcome visitors who are keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country while enjoying a happy and fulfilling holiday in Burma. The challenge is to reap the benefits of a vibrant tourist industry that would give a much-needed boost to the economy while keeping negative consequences to a minimum. Information on which travel agencies, hotels and other facilities are free from governmental affiliation, from social exploitation and from human rights violations could be provided for prospective visitors. Positive discrimination in favour of businesses engaged in effective outreach programmes and environmental conservation should be encouraged. National League for Democracy, May 2011
Outcome Responsible Tourism Statement There was a consensus that a Myanmar Responsible Tourism Policy is urgently needed.
Policy on Responsible Tourism in Myanmar (2012)
12 Workshops with more than 300 participants (May/June 2012)
12 Workshops with more than 300 participants (May/June 2012)
Recent Developments What are the issues? Tourism
CIT in Myanmar Process Eight workshops with public and private sector, (I)NGOs, community representatives in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Inle Lake, Kyaing Tong, Bagan and Loikaw 31 Jan -13 Feb 2013
Core Principles of CIT Do no harm to local communities Local community participation must be informed and willing Respect the culture, religion and beliefs Gender responsibilities Community Tourism Enterprises must be based on sound business planning Sucessfull Community-Managed Tourism Operations necessasiraly operate within the Mainstream Tourism Network
Policy on Community Involvement in Tourism Objective 1: Strengthening the institutional environment and civil societies Objective 2: Capacity building for community related activities in tourism Objective 3: Developing safeguards, systems and procedures to strengthen community planning and management in tourism Objective 4: Encouraging local entrepreneurship through micro and local enterprises Objective 5: Diversifying and developing quality products and services at community level Objective 6: Monitoring positive and adverse impacts of community involvement in tourism
Each objective has its own Action Points Objective 1: Strengthening the institutional environment and civil societies Example - Action Point b): MoHT and MTF will assign Community Involvement Tourism Liaison Officers as Coordinators to help facilitate the above, to facilitate communication within and among the informal sector, government, investors, tourism companies etc., and ensure that community involvement in tourism is given appropriate recognition in further national development.
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Content: Recent Developments in Tourism Policy on Responsible Tourism Policy on Community Involvement in Tourism Current Challenges Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities Roles of Cronies Recommendations
Recent Developments Current challenges Consequences of the Rapid Growth: human resource challenge; price increase of hotels & land-speculation Lack of awareness of potential negative impacts need for awareness raising & strengthening of management systems Good awareness of what needs to be done but limited financial, human & technical resources Reconciling big business interests with equal opportunities for sustainable growth Lack of transparency Need for greater coordination at all levels!
Tourism Masterplan (forthcoming) 25 Key Objectives & Actions (examples) ADB TA 8136: Myanmar Tourism Master Plan
3. Strategy - Strengthen Safeguards and Procedures for Destination Planning and Management Develop destination management plans Prioritise sites and planning methods Engage development partners Create & enforce legislation, policies & guidelines to strengthen environmental and social safeguards Assess limits of acceptable change Develop consultative process for responsible tourism zone planning Develop EIA, SIA & site planning processes & protocols Promote sustainable/innovative technologies CSR guidelines Develop adaption frameworks and strategies on tourism and climate change Develop green growth destination roadmaps Strengthen tourism and poverty reduction linkages Develop demonstration projects (handicrafts, organic produce, etc.) ADB TA 8136: Myanmar Tourism Master Plan
Tourism Masterplan (forthcoming) 25 Key Objectives & Actions (examples) ADB TA 8136: Myanmar Tourism Master Plan
Who is in charge of what? 50
Inle Lake Located in Southern Shan State at 850 m above sea level Surface: 70 sq-km (2 nd largest fresh water lake in Myanmar) Home to about 200 bird species Population nearly 100,000 people Myanmar s second major tourist attraction: natural beauty, Inle dwellers and their culture & traditions Threatened by environmental degradation from agriculture, human settlements and tourism
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Recent Developments What are the issues? Confusion regarding responsibilties who calls the shoots? Inle Lake: Who takes final decisions? At Union Level At Shan State Level Two self administrated zones (Danu, Pa-o)
Recommendations for Swedish Tour Operators / Tourists Let us start the journey New Slogan of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism My suggestion: Can we wait for 2-3 more years? (Demarketing) Recommendations for an ethical correct journey? Local guesthouses, local restaurants, local transport (uupppss )
Burma Tourism Directory of NLD The NLD would welcome visitors who are keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country while enjoying a happy and fulfilling holiday in Burma. The challenge is to reap the benefits of a vibrant tourist industry that would give a much-needed boost to the economy while keeping negative consequences to a minimum. Information on which travel agencies, hotels and other facilities are free from governmental affiliation, from social exploitation and from human rights violations could be provided for prospective visitors. Positive discrimination in favour of businesses engaged in effective outreach programmes and environmental conservation should be encouraged. National League for Democracy, 19.05.2011
Recommendations for Swedish Tour Operators / Tourists Let us start the journey New Slogan of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism My suggestion: Can we wait for 2-3 more years? (Demarketing) Next step: CSR Certification System/CSR Reporting System
Role of International and Domestic Visitors (CIT Policy) International and domestic visitors can travel in a responsible way by showing respect towards the local culture, religion and customs. They are encouraged to visit local communities and contribute to the improvement of the livelihoods, e.g. by buying locally produced goods or by supporting the local people with long-term voluntary work (minimum four weeks). Visitors are discouraged from directly donating money, sweets, clothes etc. to local communities without consulting a local person such as a local guide or a local organization.
Role of Swedish Tour Operators First year: Encourage your local partner to follow the Responsible Tourism Guidelines Second year: Ask the local agency what they have actually done! If they have not done anything, remind them to become more active in Responsible Tourism (put a bit of pressure) Third year: DITO. If they havn t done anything put even more pressure and strong warnings! Fourth year: If still no visible change look for a new local partner!
PDF-Version of Policies? Please contact by email: Nicole Haeusler M.A., nhaeusler.consult@gmail.com
Thank you for listening!