Naut Kusters, Pascal Khoo Thwe & Peter Richards

Tourism Experts, International Trade Centre (ITC)

Thursday 10 March 2016

ITB Berlin 2016

KAYAH STATE - MYANMAR

An Emerging Community

Tourism Destination

Myanmar, Kayah state: an emerging community tourism destination

Contents

1. Introduction to community tourism in Myanmar and the ITC

Kayah tourism initiative. Naut Kusters

2. Kayah’s major attractions, facilities and accessibility.

Pascal Kho Twe

3. Short film, impressions of Kayah. Max Kerkhoff

4. New community tourism products in Kayah state, integration

into travel packages. Peter Richards

Naut Kusters

Introduction to Myanmar and the

ITC Kayah tourism initiative.

Tourism in Myanmar

• Fast growing, but focussed on few highlights • Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan (central valley…) • New (border) regions now accessible • Ethnic and natural diversity • Responsible and planned approach needed

- New regions opening up - Large ethnical and natural diversity! - Social and environmentally sensitive environment - Sustainability standards should be integrated from the start - Involvement of communities (inclusive development) - Development agencies have now started pilot projects - Formal Co-ordination body: MoHT and development agencies

New regions, innovative products

• Indawygyi Lake - Kayaking and cycling • Pa-O – Trekking near Inle lake • Ayeyawady Dolphins - Dolphin watching • Thandaunggyi – Colonial hill station • Kayah State – Ethnic village visits

Community pilot projects

7

“Enhance the competitiveness of Myanmar’s tourism industry and related supply chains, through an inclusive tourism approach for the benefit of local communities and enterprises”

SMEs, TOs and

communities

Sector Associations

National and local government

Market

All players together to put Kayah State on the tourism map to reduce poverty.

Cultural Tourism tours, Creative tourism activities, Food Safety, Hospitality training, export capacity for TOs

Collaboration with UMTA and MTM and strengthening Kayah tourism associations

Collaboration with MOC, MOHT at national and Kayah state level

Marketing and Branding, Business linkages

Capacity building

Product development

Strengthening inbound TO’s

Market linkages

2015-2017

ITC Kayah Project – Whole value chain

Pascal Khoo Thwe

Kayah’s major attractions, facilities

and accessibility.

Inviting pioneers, as Kayah’s journey begins

Travelling to Kayah and Loikaw

• East Myanmar, bordering Shan,

Kayin states & Thailand

• Approx. 500km from Yangon &

250km from Nay Pyi Taw

• Regular flights from Yangon

• ‘Scenic Route’ via Inlay Lake (6

hours by boat + 1 hour by road)

• Access also possible by road from

Yangon (approx. 18 hours)

• Close to Thai hotspots (Chiang

Mai)

Woven from vibrant diversity

• Kayah is one of Southeast Asia’s last frontiers for inspiring, authentic travel…

• A vibrant tapestry of people, cultures, languages, lifestyles & livelihoods

• 9 different tribes, including the Kayah (red Karen), Kayan (Padaung) & Kayin

• Practicing Christianity (Catholicism, Baptism), Buddhism & Animism

• Visually enchanting dress & decoration…deeper impression comes from peoples’ warm sense of humour; passion for music, arts & crafts

Kayah has been closed for over half a century and recently opened to

visitors.

A land of spirit and faith, rolling plains and

emerald forested hills...

A natural tapestry of green and gold

In Loikaw, the Taung

Kwe Pagoda is the most

iconic sight.

The ITC team are also

developing activities with

the state museum, and

weaving centres.

Why is Kayah special?

Dangers of exploitation

Respectful visits to local communities

Max Kerkhoff (Berlin film academy)

Short Film on Kayah

Peter Richards

New community tourism products in

Kayah state: brief look at ‘work behind

the scenes’ and how to integrate them

into existing packages

Community study

Our Good Things

Study Tour

Program and Activities

Product testing and training…

• Inclusive tourism: increasing economic opportunities & building skills

• Participatory: “What are people proud & comfortable to share with visitors?”

• Partnerships: working as a team with government, tour operators & guides

• Supply chain: from the villages, via Yangon, to high value markets… interested in a local experience

• Building trust

• Slowing down to the speed of the village…

ITC Project – Step by step approach

What is tourism?

Do, Feel, Learn, Share

Safety, Story, Service

Awareness raising with local communities

Peer learning study trip in Mae Hong Son

Training and capacity building

In focus: Pan Pet - Kayan community

Head to the hills

with forest treks

• Half & full day

programs

• Choice of short

and long treks

• Enjoy a tasty,

jungle picnic &

stunning views

• Learn about

natural &

cultural sites,

en route

In focus: Pan Pet - Kayan community

Meet the people

and enjoy hands

on experiences

of traditional arts

• Meet the Kayan

ladies & see

how traditional

crafts are made

• Learn a few

words of Kayan

language with

colourful media

• Browse & buy

handmade gifts

In focus: Hta Nee La Leh - Kayah community

Learn about

traditional beliefs

• Half day and full

day programs

• Visit the Kaetobue

animist hall &

totems

• Traditional hunting

shrine

• Meet the local

artisans who are

keeping traditional

Kayah music &

arts alive

In focus: Hta Nee La Leh - Kayah community

Kayah barbecue on

the banks of the

Seven Lakes

• Enjoy a ride to

scenic Seven

lakes, by

traditional ox cart

• Taste traditional

flavours with a

unique Kayah

barbecue

• Learn some Kayah

dance moves!

Behind the scenes: consultation, training & team work

Since May 2015 ITC’s

work has included:

• Study tours, surveys &

consultations with

community members &

tour operators

• Training, on the job

coaching & product

testing to develop

experiences & services

• Safety, Story, Service:

Training community

members & guides to

work as a team

Loikaw museum and weaving center creative tourism

FAM Trip for inbounds, February 2016

Inbound tour operators capacity building

• Selection of 35 tour operators • In partnership with CBI, Dutch government • Export Marketing training • Personal coach • Sustainable tourism training & Human resource management training • Support with Kayah product integration

Working with outbound tour operators

Matchmaking • Personal information to EU tour operators • More than 40 tour operators showed interest • Large interest in new regions, diversification of product demanded

How you can benefit • Meet with our team at the Myanmar national stand • Individual matchmaking and guidance by the ITC project team • Facilitation of Fam trips • Information and support service for media

Meet us at the Myanmar stand, Hall 26B