One heart. One lake. Only Inle. Group C Mony, Fella, Nagi, Akky, Myat Su, Mike, Allene, Tea

Transcription

1 THE ECO-TOUR One heart. One lake. Only Inle. Group C Mony, Fella, Nagi, Akky, Myat Su, Mike, Allene, Tea

2 INLE LAKE (GEOGRAPHY) The second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar 900 meters above sea-level 22 km long, 10 km wide across A short distance from Yangon in the cool green highlands of Shan State. (Yangon)

3 INLE LAKE (FEATURES) Contains a number of endemic species of snails and fish. Hosts over 20,000 brown and black head migratory seagulls in November, December and January Famous for its leg rowers, floating gardens, vibrant floating markets and prolific bird life, intact ethnic tribes and breathtaking sceneries. A hot spring in northwestern shore

4 INLE LAKE (PEOPLE) A unique environment with floating islands and colorful hill-tribes with a population of some 70,000 people in the lake and surrounding valleys. Renowned for its weaving industry Hand-made goods for local use are common, especially silk weaving. A unique fabric form lotus plant fiber is produced only at Inle Lake

5 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Reduction of Lake Area Deforestation Water hyacinth growth Solidification of Floating Gardens Water pollution (untreated sewage & waste water)

6 OBJECTIVES - Share information on and involve local community in waste management. - Provide visitors with hands on experience of the Clean As You Go (Claygo) practice. - Reduce water pollution in the lake

7 TARGET MARKET Myanmar People Japanese & other Foreign Tourists

8 SPECIAL TOUR INFORMATION Provide paper bag to tourist for food waste to give to tour guide convert to bio-waste. Special waste basket on boat/bus for liquid waste. Briefing on waste collection with paper bag upon arrival of tourist De-briefing about bio-waste. Incentive program: Free eco bag (with slogan Don t Waste the Waste ) Free tumbler (used for refilling water so they don t have to buy new bottled water and indiscriminately dispose it) Small gift after answering feedback sheet

9 ROLE OF TOUR GUIDE Role Local who can speak foreign languages Share issues about bio waste and environmental impact on the lake with the tourist. The guide must be familiar with environmental issues in the region Interpret for the locals in explaining culture and history and environmental concerns. Liaise with the hotel and other partners (e.g. NGOs/environ mental activist) Constantly reminds tourists to dispose of waste properly

10 Floating Gardens & villages Floating Accommodation Phaung daw Oo pagoda festival Hot Spring Jumping cat monastery View Sunset Long Neck Weavers

11 Traditional Fishing Leg Rowing Experience In Dein Pagoda View Sunrise Floating Markets Local Food

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13 MARKETING AND PROMOTION Facebook:

14 MARKETING AND PROMOTION Facebook:

15 MARKETING AND PROMOTION An application for a competition( e.g. The Tour Grand Prix, etc.)

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17 SOCIAL SYSTEM FOR ECO- TOURISM ENHANCEMENT

18 IMPORTANCE OF A SOCIAL SYSTEM - Ecotourism maintains or enhances the local community s equilibrium - Improved Community Cohesion: Individuals and families work together to build a successful ecotourism venture. - Funds from ecotourism used by community for environmental development purposes, e.g., to build public toilet, to provide trash bin.

19 SUPPORTERS AND ROLES 1. Local people 2.Researcher/NGOs/UMFCCI To initiate the Heart of Inle eco-tour and sustain it. Act as consultants for resource management at Inle Lake. 3.Local Government: 4.Local Businesses: Update or revise regulations for such tours (e.g., possible homestays in the future, reduce hotel rates, etc.) Support the cause and activities 5.Travel Agencies: 6.Travelers: Promote the eco-tour and cooperate with all supporters for the conservation of Inle Lake Participate in and promote the Heart of Inle eco-tour (e.g., Blogs, YouTube, Facebook, etc.)

20 TOUR GUIDE TRAINING Who Local People from Inle Lake & surrounding area. Duration- two days Training Program Outline: No. Type Trainers 1. Eco-Tourism Fundamentals Tourism Council 2. Heart of Inle Eco-Tour Concepts 3. History & Culture Review (generic & specific to the sites) 4. Environmental Awareness & Current Issues of Inle Lake (e.g. Bio-Waste, Water Pollution) 5. Basic First Aid & Safety Training (water rescue) IATSS Forum Country Alumni Council that governs history and culture. Guest speakers from the specific community NGO or Environmental Activists Local NGOs (e.g., Red Cross)

21 RULES AND REGULATIONS 1 Max Group Size: 10 people 2 Min Group Size*: 2 people (*exclusive package available at higher cost) 3 Limit of 2 Groups at any 1 time. 4 Only provision of tumbler and huge water container. No bottled water will be provided. 5 Tour guide must always dispose of waste properly. Follow CLAYGO & Don t Waste the Waste concepts.

22 RISK MANAGEMENT (ACTIVITY) Type of Activity Leg Rowing & Boat Transportation on the lake Medium Risk Level Eating local food Low to Medium Native cats Low Fisherman Who Low Risk Level Leg rower/long neck weaver Low General public Low

23 BUDGET PLAN No. Item Total (USD) 1 Trainers Meal Materials 30 4 Transportation Conference Venue 5 (Donation) 6 Marketing materials 1295 Total 2000

24 TIME FRAME (2013) Coordination meeting Info/data gathering Assessment of selected village/ Trainers Identification Material preparation Q1 Q2 Q3 Production of marketing and training materials Actual tour/monitoring evaluation Q4

25 HOW TO APPROACH LOCAL COMMUNITY Set up community activity Organize a meeting with relevant parties Sensitivity to community s schedule/lifestyle. Contact local tour guide association. Steps Information/ data gathering Tap NGOs. Approach community leaders

26 PROFIT DISTRIBUTION Donation of 5% of the profits for waste management improvements. Profit Local people will receive a portion of the fees for their services.

27 KEEP ENTHUSIASM OF LOCAL PEOPLE Hold event competitions relating to waste management. Hyacinth clean-up activity/competition Hold occasional environmental awareness campaign/seminars Protect & make sustainable use of local resources Recognize active local participants who practice proper waste management. e.g., in newspapers, journals, television, etc.

28 ENHANCE AWARENESS OF TOURISTS 1 Getting the tourists to practice CLAYGO & Don t waste the waste concepts during the tour and encourage them to do it in their home country. 2 Providing tumbler, paper bag & eco-bag to encourage the good waste management practice. 3 Take home souvenirs like the long neck weavers handicraft and eco-bag to remind them of what they learnt during the tour. 4 Encourage tourists to post good waste management practices/ideas on the Facebook page.

29 Thank for Your Attention Arigatou Gozaimashita Omachi Shite Orimasu

30 DIFFICULTIES Difficulty in understanding the eco-tourism concept Difficulty in selecting the topic of the project Language barrier Different personalities and working styles Lack of experience to create the tour plan Lack of information and data availability Time constraint

31 LESSONS LEARNED Divide tasks based on individual s strengths Brainstorming Active listening Conflicts can work to your advantage Better time management Use available decisionmaking methods Put ideas into writing Take regular breaks to refresh our minds

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