Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy launched

26 May 2015
Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy launched
Wild ducks take flight from the surface of Inlay Lake, Nyaungshwe Township, Taunggyi, Shan Sate, Myanmar, 08 December 2014. EPA/NYEIN CHAN NAING

Myanmar has launched what it calls an Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy in an effort to protect and develop the sector according to a report by TRR Weekly on 25 May.
Quoting the Global New Light of Myanmar, the report said the strategy was introduced, last week, at the International Conference on Ecotourism held in Nay Pyi Taw.
During the event, officials said Myanmar recognises ecotourism potential, but the emphasis would be on setting up rules and procedures to protect areas first. There is a plan to develop ecotourism by 2020 based on a strategy created by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.
It was supported financially by the European Union and the GMS-Environment Operation Centre and has six strategic programmes for the development of the country’s ecotourism sector.
They include the strengthening of institutional arrangements, research, and monitoring frameworks, marketing and interpretation, development of ecotourism management plans, investment in infrastructure and establishment of responsible business models.
The country received over 3 million visitors in 2014, a 51% increase over the previous year, and welcomed 909,510 during the first three months of this year, the report said.