Myanmar’s Reopening to the World: An Examination of Ecotourism Development in the Twenty

First Century

Research & Presented by:Daniel Pliske

ONTENTS.CPart oneIntroduction to Myanmar and ecotourism

Part twoTourism Leadership and economic impact in Myanmar

Part threeEcotourism in Myanmar

The Golden Land

Obstacles for Tourism in Myanmar

Mass Tourism -2011

High Colonialism(1920s) Civil War (1948-1962)

Socialist Regime (1962-1988)

Quasi-socialist Regime(1990s)

Structural corruptionCrony capitalismPovertyOngoing human rights violationsCommunal violence

Tourism Leadership in Myanmar

Global and Regional Scale

National Scale - Myanmar Government

Development of World Tourism Global and Regional Organization

Tourism Leadership Myanmar to rejoin UNWTO>

The development of World Tourism

>

Myanmar signed the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Tourism Cooperation (CLMV)

>

Global – Regional Scale

Tourism Leadership

National Scale

Ministry of Hotels and Tourism

>

NGOs>

Infrastructure Environmental concern

Overseeing tourism

Tourism investment

Rail network

Responsible Tourism

Policy (2012)

Best Practices

for Foreign Visitors (2012)

Tourism Master Plan

(2013)

Recent Policy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo6nPoH48YI

Tourism Impact on Economy

716 731763

792816

1059

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

NU

MB

ERS

OF

AR

RIV

ALS

IN T

HO

USA

ND

S (1

00

0)

Tourist arrivals in Myanmar(2007-2012)

Source: Myanmar Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. Tourism Statistics Report (2007-2012).

What is Eco-tourism?

Ecotourism “is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features – both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socioeconomic involvement of local populations” (World Conservation Union).

Nature-based destinations>

Learning-focused interaction between the tourist and natural attraction

>

Environment, social-cultural sustainability>

Myanmar’s Ecotourism Destination

Wildlife National Parks and Sanctuaries

• Alungdaw Kathapa National Park – jungle trekking and elephant riding

• Hlawaga National Park – bird watching• Popa Mountain Park – extinct volcano

with monkeys• Lampi Island (Mergui Archipelago) –

diving and other marine based activities• Sein-Ye Forest Camp (Bago Yoma) –

experience in witnessing the logging methods and the utilization of elephants

• Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary (Shwe Bo)• National Botanical Gardens• Moneyingyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary• Kakaborazi National Park, Myaing Hay

Wun Elephant Camp• Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary• Nat Ma Taung National Park• Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary• Yangon Zoo logical Gardens.

National Kandawgyi Gardens

Bird watching in MOEYUNGYI WETLANDS

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

Protecting Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Environment

high rate of deforestationThe threat of animal poaching

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

• Protected Area System – PAS• Legislations

• Elephant Preservation Act• Forest Law• Forest Policy• Rules relating to the Protection of

Wildlife and Conservation of Natural Areas

Protecting Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Environment

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

• Government intends to open up more restricted areas in the country to tourists in order to help to attract more visitors

Access to Restricted Areas

Chin State resident

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

Ecolodges

Myanmar Andaman Resort

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

Ecolodges

Mount Oasis Resort

Myanmar’s Ecotourism in Action

Tour-operators

Some examples: > Supreme Services Team (SST) Tourism

> Woodlands Travel

Ecotourism in Myanmar

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Myanmar’s Future Ecotourism Challenges

• Crony involvement in tourism – land conflict, etc. • Local community empowerment• Area, biodiversity and environment protection• Poor chances for small ecotourism enterprises• Lack of training programs for language skills and capacity

management • lack of skilled labor and professionals• Human rights issues (forced labor, child labor, woman

empowerment, etc.)• Weakness ecotourism knowledge awareness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UftUJ0Mw9eQ

References

Hausler, N., Munz, A., Westarp, L., Daw Khin Than Win, U Kyi Thein Ko. (September 27, 2012). Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Responsible Tourism Policy. Retrieved from http://www.burma-center.org/en/publications/documents/item/344-myanmar-responsible-tourism-policy/

(June 5, 2013). Myanmar Unveils $500 Million Tourism Plan. Asian Development Bank (ADB). Retrieved from http://www.adb.org/news/myanmar-unveils-500-million-tourism-plan

(February 22, 2013). Investing in Myanmar’s Tourism Industry. Retrieved from http://www.investinmyanmar.com/investing-in-myanmars-tourism-industry/

(May 23, 2011). Eco-Tourism. Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. MyanmarTourism.org.

Tourism in Burma. Tourism Transparency. Retrieved from http://www.tourismtransparency.org/news-and-reports/tourism-burma

Kay Leigh Long. (June 6, 2013). Myanmar reveals tourism Master Plan. Myanmar Times. Retrieved from http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/7018-myanmar-reveals-tourism-master-plan.html

Sonenshine, T. (August 17, 2013). Myanmar Opening to Tourism, Investment – and Reform? National Geographic Daily News. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130817-myanmar-burma-tourism-democracy-culture/

(May 11, 2012). Myanmar set to rejoin UNWTO. World Tourism Organization UNWTO. Retrieved from http://media.unwto.org/en/press-release/2012-05-11/myanmar-set-rejoin-unwto

References

U Htay Aung. (June 2013). Myanmar Tourism Master Plan | 2013-2020 (Final Draft Report). Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Retrieved from http://www.harrison-institute.org/Myanmar%20Tourism%20Master%20Plan%202013-2020.pdf

World Travel and Tourism Council (2013). Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2013. Myanmar. London

Asian Development Bank (2005). Tourism Strategy Final Report (TA 6179-REG). Annex 3 Technical Notes and Tables. Manila

Wall, W. & Aung, L. S. A Feasibility Study Setting Up Ecotourism Business in Myanmar. Master of Business Administration in Management. School of Management. Shinawatra University. Bangkok, Thailand.

Ceballos-Lascurain, H. (1996). Tourism, Ecotourism and Protected Areas. Gland: IUCN Publication.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) (1990; 2006). Fact Sheet: Global Ecotourism. Retrieved from http://www.box.net/shared/static/eaukonjc0a.pdf

Bushell, R. (2001). The Place of Ecotourism, With Particular Reference to Australia, Sydney: School of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus.

Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Tourism Development Report 2012: Speech delivered from the Union Minister for the Ministry ofHotels and Tourism and for Sports, meeting with the Singaporean Business Delegation. Nay Pyi Taw: Ministry of Government Press, 2012.

Thank You!Any Questions?

Presentation by Daniel M. PliskeSales & Marketing, Access China Tours

Master of Tourism Management (MTM) Graduate

Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR)

Colorado State University (CSU)

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

PowerPoint by: Wen Zhao