Ecotourism in Protected Areas the focus of Myanmar conference

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in partnership with its government partners in Myanmar will be staging the International Conference on Ecotourism in Protected Areas at the Kempinski Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw, from 19th to 21st May.

Myanmar’s first international event focused on ecotourism, the conference objectives are to:

• Share and build new knowledge of ecotourism policy and practice to progress ecotourism in protected areas
• bring forward realistic solutions to advance ecotourism management practice in a platform for peer learning
• Develop global partnerships and regional (local) networks for bringing positive change and sustainability in the ecotourism sector

Over the course of three days, international, regional, and local experts will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing ecotourism in protected areas. 

The event will include a high-level ecotourism policy dialogue for policy makers facilitated by ICIMOD. In addition, the Government of Myanmar will officially launch its National Ecotourism Policy and Management Strategy at the conference.

Staged in partnership with Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Ministry for Environmental Conservation and Forestry, the focus of conference sessions is on successful planning and management approaches for ecotourism in and around protected areas that strengthen livelihoods, enhance conservation, and contribute to adaptation. 

Keynote speakers and panel sessions will dedicate ample attention to various development and managerial aspects of ecotourism and the need to address climate change. In addition, significant focus will be brought to the roles of communities and the benefits they can derive from engaging with ecotourism.

Sessions include:

• Gender and ecotourism
• Ecotourism and trans-boundary heritage trails
• Ecotourism monitoring to strengthen protected area management
• Spiritual tourism in protected areas
• Ecotourism in protected areas: The way forward for Myanmar

The event is endorsed by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

For further information, click here to view event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

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