Responsible Tourism Workshop, Myanmar
Bradford academic Dr Julia Jeyacheya was hosted by the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business at a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop in Ngapali, Rakhine State (11-13 May 2016). She delivered a presentation on coastal tourism in South East Asia, co-written with Dr Mark Hampton, University of Kent. In addition, a report based on field research completed by Drs Jeyacheya and Hampton in Ngapali, November 2014, was included in all delegate packs and available in English and Myanmar.
The workshop was addressed by U Min Aung, Minister of Development Affairs for Rakhine State who identified the ‘participation of local communities as the only way to develop responsible tourism in Ngapali’. 100 or so participants including mainly local stakeholders, and international beach tourism experts attended the workshop at Thande Beach Resort over the three days.
Julia commented on the workshop as a "truly open and democratic forum for the local people and businesses to voice their opinions about the future of tourism development in Ngapali".
Vicky Bowman, Director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business describes the workshop as “the first opportunity for different stakeholders to come together to discuss the direction they want to see tourism take in Ngapali. All voices need to be heard as the new government seeks to develop Ngapali as a world- class tourism destination. An inclusive process for destination management planning is vital”.
For more details of this workshop and its outcomes, visit the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB).