The document outlines the progress of an inclusive tourism project in Kayah State, focused on community-based tourism (CBT) and its impact over two years. It details the project's success in increasing local job opportunities, enhancing visitor experiences, and establishing local tour operators, while also addressing challenges such as low trust levels and the need for more infrastructure. Future plans include consolidating CBT initiatives, planning with government for sustainable growth, and potentially replicating the model in other states.

1. Progress Two Years On:
Inclusive Tourism Project in Kayah State:
Ms. Winnie Mai, Assistant Project Coordinator, ITC
Daw Mu Lon, Coordinator, Pan Pet CBT Group
Mr. Peter Richards, Consultant on Cultural Tourism Development, ITC
13th and 14th June, 2017
Horizon Lake View Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw

2. Today’s Presentation
1 – Project Overview
2 – How do you define success for their CBT project?
3 – Share the success stories of the past two years
4 – Share the challenges and issues of the past two years
5 – What is your advice to communities thinking of being
involved in tourism?
6 – What do you hope to achieve in the next two years?

3. 3
Local SMEs
and communities
Tour operators
Sector
Associations
National and
State
government
HIGHLIGHT: SUPPLY CHAIN APPROACH
Important, strategic actions were
taken at each step along the chain,
from local communities through
to European markets…
Enhance
Myanmar’s
tourism industry
as a way out of
poverty
Project overview: Inclusive Tourism w/ a focus on Kayah
Supply chain project
with CBT component

4. Context and challenge: from 10
minute, ‘Long Neck’ sightseeing
tour to a full ‘Kayan’ experience

5. Trekking & Artisans Trail in Pan Pet
 Interpretive trek, lead by
trained local guides;
 Seasonal homemade
lunch by womens’ group;
 Visit local homes and
meet artisans who make
Kayan bracelets, textiles
and bamboo weaving,
carving, millet wine.

6. Half and full day tours in Hta Nee La Leh, Kayah Community
Hta Nee La Leh, Kayah Community

7. Replication: Htay Khu, Kayaw village: crafts tour and trekking

8. Replication: Daw Tha Ma Gyi, Kayah Community – ON HOLD

9. CBT training of trainers, across ethnic groups

10. Creative tourism in Loikaw: The Kayah
Sausage experience (2-3h)
Make your own traditional Kayah Sausage
Interact with a local producer
Taste it!

11. In Loikaw: The Path of natural Dyeing (1h)
tour along a natural path, discover the natural colours
Experience natural dyeing
Visit a weaving workshop, its machines and Kayah Products

12. Step by step, on the job training & coaching process

13. Training for community guides and licensed guides

14. Building marketing capacity and linkages from Kayah to EU

15. Capacity building at the market end, too:
• In partnership CBI, Dutch government
• Export Marketing training / coaching
• Sustainable tourism / HRD training
• Support for Kayah product integration
• Support trade fair participation
Market access coaching for effective trade fair participation

16. Need for good information
about the new community
based cultural tours in Kayah.
Need for tourists, guides and
operators to use the tours.
Need to help local community
members who are offering CBT
to solve challenges. Need to
support community to collect
/use data (no tourists, $, etc.).
The CBT Check In… Promotion and Backstopping

17. How does ITC define success for CBT?
More job opportunities for local communities and SMEs;
More time and money spent in the target communities;
A wider range of CBT / local products and experiences;
More partnerships between Kayah ground handlers and
Yangon based tour operators, sending guests on trips;
Local community members have new skills / confidence
More opportunities for villagers to tell their stories;
Better, richer, more inspiring experiences for visitors;
Manageable in the future as visitor numbers increase.

18. Success stories: a snapshot of progress
International
Tourists to Kayah
(MOHT, Loikaw)
2014 2015 2016
2,662
Up 79%
3,933
Up 48%
6,374
Up 62%
• At the start of the project, there were no local tour operators,
only transport services. Now, there is an established ground
handling sector, taking bookings from 30 + national DMC / TO’s.
• Loikaw GH’s made industry contacts as a result of ITC FAM trips;
• These GH’s earned total over $45,000 USD for bookings in 2016.
• @500 people in Kayah regularly participating in ITC trainings.
• Gender balance: over 50% participation by women.
• 2016: 811 tourists to Pan Pet, 769 to Hta Nee La Leh, via ITC.
• = Over 1500 community visits of several hours Vs 10-20 minutes
• Prem Song / Salong Kana CBT: Sep to Dec 2016: 2,454,600 Ks
• Hta Nee La Leh CBT: income Jan to Dec 2016 4,377,500 Ks
• However – true ROI will be realized as a field learning center

19. Building human capacity and capital to improve lives
Meals
59%
Local guide
11%
Community fund
10%
Artisan
9%
Ox cart
8%
Dance
2%
Other
1%
Distribution of income Hta Nee La Leh
Meals Local guide Community fund Artisan Ox cart Dance Other
This is where
the capacity
building work
was focused…

20. Success factors
Step by step supply chain approach from communities to
the market: strong focus on facilitating market linkages;
ITC management flexible to invest time in trust building;
Effective and trustworthy local leadership made a big
difference to results. Hta Nee La Leh Vs Pan Pet situation.
Actively engaging with local ground handlers / regional
tour guides /inviting them to join activities often (this was
relatively easier because they were mainly new businesses);
Internationals brought in expertise from similar socio-
cultural context, plus local intuition through local team;
Excellent support from MOHT focal point and in Loikaw;
Mobilizing youth volunteers, who became ToT trainees.

21. Challenges / lessons learned
Low levels of trust in the post conflict context;
Tourism training alone is not enough in remote areas.
Need resources for more infrastructure / basic needs / a
more integrated community development approach;
Some tour operators and guides are still not using the
CBT programs, despite very thorough outreach / training.
Tension between government / ethnic groups impacted
the replication of the project in Daw Ta Ma Gyi;
In the future, managing increased visitation will be a
challenge. ITC have addressed this through the CBT
Check In. However, additional planning and new
destination development will be required in the future.

22. Overall advice for stakeholders developing CBT
1. Developing tourism in partnership with
communities requires step by step
trust building / training / coaching +
respect, sufficient time and flexibility.
2. Supply chain approach: strategic
capacity building all along the chain: at
destination, B2B hubs, market.
3. Building trusting relationships should
be part of the whole process. Harness
all opportunities to invite tour
operators to visit communities, share
ideas, earn trust, form relationships.
4. Build partnerships at destination level
(e.g. : ground handlers, guides,
community, DMOs, VOLUNTEERS)

23. What do you hope to achieve in the next 2 years?
Consolidate existing CBT communities
Work with MOHT to plan for the future: balancing
supply / demand / further development;
Fully operational CBT Check In
Replicate model in another state?
Kayah as a CBT Study Center
Share lessons learned for benefit of Myanmar

24. Keep up to date with the project on our Facebook page
Thank-you for the chance to share experiences