1. Shan Yoma has given priorities on Responsible and sustainable tourism practices which will give positive impacts to the people, environment and the quality of life for the next generation. Over Tourism. In Myanmar there are places like Bagan, Inle , Kyaik Htiyo and Mandalay are crowded with tourists. Most of our products, we designed differently to visit villages and nature places adjusting timing to avoid over tourism. Over tourism has become a serious issue worldwide. Cities, beaches and heritage sites are overcrowded with travelers. Destroying it for both locals as other travelers. This impacts the image of the destination as well. To combat over tourism, the best solution is to spread the travelers. Take them off the beaten track to have more local people benefit from tourism, spare the environment and heritage sites, and offer more unique experiences. 2. Support the local economy The tourism industry is a significant contributor to the economic growth of destinations. It allows an economy to develop a new form of income as it allows communities to diversify their sources of income and to not rely on a single one. Purchase and book with local businesses and ensure fair prices at all times. The tourism industry has proven to have a massive impact on destinations, communities and the environment. It’s a sensitive industry where it can have both positive as negative impact, with all its consequences. Tour operators like us have the opportunity and responsibility to move towards good tourism. To create experiences that benefit the destination, that provide a fair income for local communities and that protect the environment and wildlife. This is the future of tourism. 3. Create local employment opportunities One of the most obvious examples of good tourism is that it creates jobs for local people. From tour guides, drivers, hotel maids to locals selling food or crafts. We work with local people and train and qualify them to be excellent in their job. They are responsible for good tourism on the ground and know the destination best. 4. Develop Culture Community-Based Tourism ( CCBT ) and Community Based Eco Tourism. ( CBET ) By turning local culture into an authentic and meaningful experience, you are not only satisfying customers, you are also preserving this local culture. Use tourism to protect their cultural identity. Collaborate respectfully with local communities to avoid commercialization. Give them means to keep their culture and traditions alive and relevant. Have travelers learn about their ancient local culture and facilitate cross-cultural interactions to create a win-win situation.Shan Yoma has created culture community- based tourism products and Eco Community Based tourism products which are being promoted and attracting regional and international customers. Products of Kayar and Dawei are the best Culture, community based Tourism sites. 5. To Raise awareness among travelers To ensure that community-based tourism is developed and practiced well, it’s essential travelers are educated about the local destination, culture and local customs. They need to be informed about the do’s and don’ts, how to behave and how to dress. Avoiding cultural clashes is all about creating awareness among travelers. Use community-based tourism to broaden their mind and to truly interact with local communities in a respectful way. Website links. . We have communicated to the travelers through our website mentioning “Tips for the Responsible Travelers” and Dos and Don’ts so that the travelers will aware the culture and customs of the country which they plan to travel. 6. Conserve natural assets and environment The tourism industry puts strains on the local environment. It can cause damage with risks such as erosion, pollution, loss of natural habitats and overcrowded beaches. By conserving natural assets and environment, you are directly contributing to a futureproof tourism industry. Avoid damaging the environment by lowering your carbon footprint, contributing to protecting natural areas, paying official park fees and planting trees. 7. Ensure animal welfare The use of animals in tourism is still common practice in the tourism industry. Unfortunately, the negative impact on animals is enormous. It thereby also puts pressure on animal welfare and conservation. Start to understand your animal footprint and operate accordingly in your business. This basically entails no experiences that involve captive wildlife or interaction with wild animals. In Myanmar, there are elephant champs, wildlife and marine spots we have trained guides and experts who can give interaction with marine and elephants. 8. Say no to single-use plastic Plastic can be found everywhere. In our oceans, wildlife and in nature. Tourism significantly contributes to the issue by using a lot of single-use plastic during trips and in accommodations. The industry increases litter and pollution in nature and therefore have the responsibility to reduce plastics throughout to avoid pollution. Make clients aware of the issue, offer refillable water bottles and prevent use of plastic bags. Awareness and education is key here. We have already given trainings to our staff and also participated in No Plastic campaign. Internally reduce purchasing using refilled bottles, recycle the plastic wares sending for recycling. 9. Building Sustainable community by sharing the sustainable practices to all suppliers, stakeholders within the nations as well as regional and International partners. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Collaboration between ASEAN Member States ( AMS ) and International community. Since last 3 years, products for community based tourism were being promoted. The reason for promoting these products is – for the welfare of community. By its very nature, tourism has a large multiplier effect? As the ASEAN roadmap states there must be increased quality of life and for residents through responsible and sustainable tourism development. Among the ASEAN countries, except Malaysia, the rest are all Visa free which attracts more tourists for both inbound and outbound. Myanmar, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has released Visa on arrival for Chinese, Free Visa for Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong and Macau in 1st October 2018. Also 1st December 2018 Visa on arrival for Indian. In coming 1st October 2019, more Visa on arrival for Swiss, German, Russian, Australian, Spanish & Italian citizens. Preparation for readiness of incoming tourism within the ASEAN and international tourists is progressing. Recently, Bagan was recognized one of the world’s heritage list and attracted by many ASEAN and International clients. There are more destinations which are being prepared for submission to be listed in the World’s Heritage destinations. Since more air routes coming from ASEAN countries to Myanmar, together with the free Visa and Visa on arrival will attract more tourists from neighboring countries. Apart from above mentioned factors, ASEAN border crossing Caravan Tours are being promoted. From Thai border to Myanmar and coming from India border passing Myanmar and going back through Thai border. Being Myanmar is a Buddhist country, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and some from Vietnam and Indonesia, visited pilgrimage tours and also to explore the culture and heritage of Myanmar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shan Yoma will focus on the importance of Environmental CSR initiatives 1. Reducing carbon footprints. The carbon footprint of tourism is relatively large. Of all emissions worldwide, 5 to 8% is caused by the tourism industry. Tour operators, like us are in the position to contribute to slowing down global warming by simply reducing their emission. Start with avoiding domestic flights and including public transport and zero-emission transport modes such as cycling and walking! Shan Yoma has products designed with traveling by train, cruise, cycling, walking and less flights to reduce carbon emission. Internally we tried to follow the Environmentally concerned policies. 2. Improving labor policies. -All employees of the company have an employment contract, including labour conditions and a job description. -All employees are registered at the Social Welfare Township Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement take care the health of all employees. -Regarding the Medical insurance - Still in process -The company ensures that people are not discriminated against with regard to recruitment, conditions of employment, access to training and senior positions, or promotion in terms of gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, religion/beliefs or sexual orientation. -The company does not employ children (14 year or younger) to complete work which is normally undertaken by adults. And, there are special working times and conditions for children working within the business in accordance with national regulations and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, whichever provides most protection incorporating the exceptions under the ILO convention 138. 3. Charitable giving. Providing customers with the opportunities to make the personal contribution to local conservation or a social project (local schools, clinics, farming projects) We give information about humanitarian organization supporting various kinds such as education, health, elderly people, senior citizen, deaf and dumb school, blind school, orphanage school, village with leper, etc where the tourists can donate whatever the amounts. For the donation, we can give the information that we can arrange. As a tour operator we also doing donations for School for the Deaf, Orphanage and for the needy. This will continue to do as part of our duties to support the people who are in need. 4. Volunteering in the community. Tree planting and cleaning and collecting the litter, plastic bags, bottles etc;– participated in Tour Operator Association and other NGOs. 5. Corporate policies that benefit the environment. In conclusion, Shan Yoma Travel and Tours has committed to sustainable and responsible travel by means of creating new destinations, using new routes and supporting the local communities. 1.Encouraging cross border routes passing Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines. New normal ASEAN connecting Tour Programs. 2. Travelling using less carbon emission transportation. Accessibility to these countries by trains, cruise, Coaches mainly and very few by flight. (The objective behind is to reduce the carbon emission which is important factor of climate change) 3. To boost the local and community economy by passing the cross borders instead of travelling congested, crowded cities. (The objective behind is to avoid over tourism and mass tourism especially POST COVID period and job creations for local people) 4. To support people to people engagement, learning culture and ways of life in each destination. 5.In near future, there will be a New Normal period, which we need to promote and encourage people to travel among ASEAN countries to support each country to boost up the economy of the member countries. 6. Promoting ASEAN as a single tourist destination is indeed part of the region’s road map and aside from allowing visitors to travel throughout the region using a single visa in the future, initiatives have been mapped out to develop a set of tourism standards with a certification process, enabling tourism professionals to walk in any of the ASEAN member states. Some countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have done very well attracting hordes of tourist on their own but as a region (Myanmar) ASEAN needs a more collective branding – a series of tourism campaigns that will go vital and bring visitors to multiple countries. Like EU countries, if single VISA could allow the travelers to travel all ASEAN countries will boost up the economy as well as the people to enjoy the legacy of privilege. If Shan Yoma Travel and Tours wins the prize, we are committed and consistent to promote and collaborate with the region and the International to achieve the GLOBAL GOALS for Sustainable Development. Let’s work together because we are under – “ONE VISION, ONE IDENTITY, ONE COMMUNITY “ towards Globally.
