Mekong Responsible Tourism SEMINAR ON TOURISM ETHICS FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Responsible Tourism and Its Socio-Economic Impact on Local Communities 11 June, 2011 Christine Jacquemin Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 1
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Created in 2006 and funded by the Ministries of Tourism of the 6 GMS countries Its role Assist the GMS countries in implementing the GMS tourism strategy Market the sub region as a single destination by focusing on multi-countries high yield travellers Foster regional cooperation among the NTOs and improved dialogue between stakeholders to support a sustainable development of tourism
GMS TOURISM SECTOR STRATEGY 2006-2015 Elaborated in 2005 by Asia Pacific consultants based on consultation with the 6 countries, with ADB TA Objective: To develop and promote the Mekong as a single destination, offering a diversity of good quality and high yielding sub regional products that helps to distribute the benefits of tourism more widely; add to the tourism development efforts of each country, by fostering a sustainable tourism development approach, by contributing to poverty reduction, gender equality and empowerment of women, while minimizing any adverse impacts.
International arrivals to GMS 2000-2010 sources UNWTO, PATA, NTAs
Economic impact by region of origin in Thailand 2010 ORIGIN Expense Total receipts 2010 Arrivals '000 /day/pers mln $ Europe 4329.6 118 7,420.70 ASEAN 4595.9 126.8 3,077.80 North Asia 3709 140 3,484.00 Americas 792 135.6 1,445.00 Oceania 788 145 1,346.00 Middle East 615 143 878 South Asia 985 145 891.7 Africa 121.8 145 163.4 source MoT&S
Tourism contribution to the economy Employment GDP T&T Direct Industry 2010/2000 T & T Direct 2010/2000 2010/200 % job % revenue Arrivals 2000 2010 growth % 2000 2010 growth % growth % Cambodia 5.3 7.3 80% 6.3 8.7 318% 613% Lao PDR 3.5 3.6 31% 4.2 4.3 310% 241% Myanmar 1.8 1.2-16% 2.2 1.5 209% 50% Thailand 5.7 4.8 3% 7.1 6 119% 68% Viet Nam 3.2 3 14% 3.9 3.5 198% 136% sources: WTTC for employment & GDP, NTAs for arrivals
Could tourism increase poverty? Destruction of the environment Social conflicts in the community Loss of cultural heritage Loss of land and properties Price increases (food, transportation, land) Diseases (HIV/AIDS, drug abuse) Trafficking of people Child exploitation, prostitution Dependency on a single sector Increased gaps between rich and poor in destination
How to increase contribution of tourism to poverty reduction & minimise negative impacts? Quality vs quantity Political will to provide appropriate framework for MSMSEs and adopt in favour of the local communities, and environmental safeguards Mechanisms to systematically empower and integrate local communities at all stages regulations Diversify the offer and spread tourism benefits outside of mass tourism destinations Drive mass tourism towards more responsible tourism practices (value chains) Give exposure and support to operations who are committed to maximise their benefits towards the destination and its people
MTCO actions to improve tourism ethics and socio economic impacts 1. Institutional and political: GMS TSS mid term review 2. Educational: Online resource knowledge centre on sustainable tourism 3. Marketing: Mekong Responsible tourism.org 9
1. Mid term review 2005-2010 significant progress Improved connectivity Numerous projects at national level Continuous strong political support Growing political awareness towards environmental and social sustainability On going process to improve investment policies and regulations 2011-2015 Remaining challenges Approach to tourism development needs to be more inclusive if to be sustainable Adopt more widely responsible practices and new IT Achieve a more equitable distribution Increase safeguards to protect natural /cultural heritage and vulnerable groups, Better monitoring of PPT impact Facilitate investment for MSMEs Build small infrastructures benefiting the poor Ease land border visa processing
GMS TSS Mid term review 17 January 2011 the 6 Ministers of Tourism unanimously endorsed the GMS TSS mid term review and Road Map 2011-2015. Its main recommendation Adopt a spatial inclusive approach integrating soft components (Sustainable tourism development pillars) with infrastructure works Concomitantly 11
Mid Term review: Road Map 2011-2015 1. Tourism-related Human Resource Development Program 2. Pro-poor, Sustainable Tourism Development Program 3. Subregional Marketing and Product Development Program 1.1 Tourism HRD planning and capacity building for mid and senior level officials at the national and provincial level 1.2 Capacity building of tourism and hospitality vocational training institutions trainers in destinations 1.3 Upgrade tourism training facilities and equipment at vocational training institutions 2.1 Safeguard heritage sites and vulnerable groups from the negative impacts of tourism 2.2 Develop pro-poor tourism products and services in destinations and along multi-country circuits 2.3 Develop pro poor tourism related infrastructure 2.4 Promote private sector participation and partnerships in sustainable tourism development 3.1 Develop market research and harmonize arrivals statistics 3.2 Joint marketing of multi-country Mekong branded nature and culture circuits 3.3 Multi-country product development and improvement of the quality of tourist facilities and services 3.4 Facilitating Cross Border Travel
Mekongtourism.org: Sustainable Tourism Knowledge Center 13
Mekongtourism.org: Sustainable Resource Knowledge Center 14
Mekongtourism.org : Sustainable Resource Knowledge Center 15
Eguide to Mekong Responsible Tourism www.mekongresponsibletourism.org Redesign existing website PDF version Update and expand three existing destinations; Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam Development of Yunnan / Guangxi, Myanmar & Thailand sections Explain and expose good practices French version Search for funding for a korean & a japanese version Partnership links with other English and French languages sites related to sustainable tourism 16
E-Guide to Mekong Responsible Tourism Objectives Promote to a world audience the best practices and operators Promote FOC MSMEs committed to make the destination a better place for the people and the tourists Increase awareness, and foster more responsible behaviour from tourists and trade Increase PP impact of tourism by driving the customers towards those who maximise benefits for the local communities and minimise their negative impacts Show the world, that change is possible Selection Writers are experts in STD living in the destinations Questionnaire based on 2002 Cape Town Declaration Applicants need to demonstrate that they comply to the three pillars of sustainability and that they contribute to awareness raising of guests on how to be more responsible and benefit more to the local communities. 17
4. Eguide to Mekong Responsible Tourism Home page 18
4. Eguide to MRT: - what to do - Where to sleep - Where to shop - What to eat 19
Child safe campaign http://www.youtube.com/friendsinternational#p/u/7/gblhxwm4onu