Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute (MRTI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MOHT), organised and conducted a 7-day workshop on Training on Community-Based Tourism Facilitation, from October 9-15th. The first five (5) days of the workshop was done in classroom training style at the Remember Inn in Nyaungshwe, and the last two (2) days was a study tour visit to the Community Based Tourism (CBT) project in the Pa-O region, with an overnight stay at Inn Ne Village. The objective of the workshop was to provide attendees with information, guidelines and practical examples that covered all aspects of CBT development in Myanmar. The subject matters covered included:
- Principles of Tourism
- Tourism worldwide and in Myanmar
- Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
- The principles, fundamentals and importance of CBT
- The ten (10) steps for preparing, developing and sustaining CBT in Myanmar
Nineteen (19) participants from across south-east area of Myanmar working in CBT, tour guiding, research and tour companies were in attendance. Financial support for the training was provided by EXO Foundation, Terra Verde Myanmar, Balloons Over Bagan, ICS Travel Group, Sandar Win Travel & Tours. Ishwar Persad, a Canadian Cuso International volunteer placed with MRTI as the Community Tourism Advisor, was the lead facilitator and coordinator of the workshop. He was assisted in the facilitation by the Chairman of MRTI Nyunt Win Naing (Ko Nyunt) and MRTI Board Member Re Paul R War. Guest presentations were made by Myat Myat Moe, the Technical Expert responsible for Sustainable Tourism for Giz in Taunggyi and Daw Nyunt Nyunt Khaing, the Deputy Director of MoHT in Taunggyi.