More transparency and improved coordination in bureaucratic procedures and community-centred planning are critical for the development of responsible tourism in Myanmar regions and states, experts emphasised at the latest tourism conference in Loikaw, Kayah State.
The 4th National Conference on Communities and Tourism, held from June 6-8, saw nearly 350 participants from tourism businesses and community-based groups as well as the state chief minister.
This year’s theme for the conference is “Decentralisation, Destination and Development”, mirroring the new Tourism Law which gives state and regional governments the power to build an enabling environment for responsible investment in tourism in their region and destination management.
The three-day seminar included panel discussions on topics including Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Myanmar on the first day, New Tourism Regulatory Framework and Decentralization in Myanmar on the second day, as well as eight workshops on the final day. A handicraft fair was also held throughout Loikaw State Hall including demonstrations on the development of sustainable products.
“Responsible development of the tourism sector in Kayah State has great potential to support overall state development…We acknowledge that we will need to coordinate with all stakeholders,” said Kayah State Chief Minister U L Phaung Sho at the closing ceremony.
With the enactment of the new Tourism Law and the formation of the Kayah State Tourism Committee, the government will continue its efforts on coordination and increasing transparency, he said.
But the government alone is not able to handle the responsibility and thus to secure regional development, the state will open its arms to relevant stakeholders, the chief minister stressed.
The sentiment was shared by Vicky Bowman, director of the Myanmar Center for Responsible Business who said that, “responsible business conduct by tourism businesses is important because in much of Myanmar, tourism depends on the conservation of the cultural and environmental values of the area. If businesses do not operate responsibly individually and collectively, they will destroy their own business as well as having a negative impact on local communities”.
Stakeholder inclusive community tourism development can have an impact towards supporting sustainable peace in fragile ceasefire agreement areas, said Leon di Riedmatten, consultant for the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
In addition to stakeholders, destination marketing organisations promoting the community will bring benefits to the state and ensure that community assets such as nature and ethnic diversity are properly valued, said Daw Ohn Mar Cho of Kalaw Tourism Organisation.
During the second day panel discussion, one of the panelists, U Nay Moe Aung from 9 Generation Force Tour Operator highlighted that more transparency and better coordinated procedures is necessary for the state tourism committee to identify the needs and take measures which will aid job creation, SME development, and proper conservation of the cultural and natural environment.
The panel discussed the importance of decentralisation in supporting regional development. Regarding licensing and permit application requirements, the panel pointed out that processes need to be decentralised and align with regional and state context.
“Local communities should always be at the centre of the process. Without proper understanding of their ways of life, needs and habitat, business activities are likely to negatively impact the community, which is something we must avoid,” said Pascal Khoo Thwe, author of “From the Land of Green Ghosts” and a native Kayan, in regard to community-centred planning, cultural and natural environment conservation.
Daw Khin Sithu, Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Loikaw also emphasised the importance of community participation and cultural preservation underlining the urgency of multi-stakeholder coordination including parliaments, government, businesses and grass-level communities to ensure responsible business in the region.
“Whatever the project is, it will be critical to prioritise the voices of local ethnic communities. Only with that will businesses be effectively supporting regional development in this state,” she said.
The seminar was organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute, and International Trade Center in cooperation with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the state government.
By KYAW SOE HTET