RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL-BURMA

 

WHAT WE DO;

Socio-economic;

• We chose the hotels that we stay in carefully and regularly check for ownership changes
• We incorporate “Off the beaten track” places into our itineraries. Such regions are vulnerable to last minute closures, but we believe that this is a price that we and our clients pay in order to allow less visited areas to benefit from tourism and for us too.
• We try to avoid meals in big hotels and instead visit small family run restaurants.
• Inform our guests and give guidelines
• Mix up who we use - not always the trickshaws waiting in most touristy place
• Visit handicraft places - buy from artisans and not private shops
• Avoid zoo like visits
• Involvement - and time with projects

Environmental;

• We are working on checking the waste disposal at each of the hotels that we use. During our journeys, our guides and guests are encouraged to collect litter and dispose of it appropriately.
• We support the Save the Nature Tour Guide Community Group near Inle Lake
• We are looking to support the communities at Inle lake who are now obliged to get their drinking water from distant sources because of the water not being consumable anymore.
• We are working on how to assist the weavers in Inle Lake with proper disposal of any chemical waste that they have.

Sustainable Projects;

• As in our other destinations, we do not purport to be NGO workers or health specialists! We don’t want to double up with what is being done by others. Instead we identify individuals and small charities who are having a positive impact on the people of Burma.

MYANMAR FOUNDATION - We are currently sponsoring a student through higher education with the assistance of the Myanmar Foundation. We recommend others interested in making a difference in Burma to do the same - and many of our guests do.

The BENEVOLENT EYE SERVICE TRUST works to reduce the treatable portion of blindness in Myanmar by providing outreach charity eye care clinics and charity cataract surgery initiatives in rural areas. We have donated funds to try to reduce their wish list.

 

 

WHAT OUR GUESTS CAN DO;

BEFORE YOUR JOURNEY

• Read up about Burma, about politics, the local culture and cultural etiquette. Here are a few initial pointers, please request a more comprehensive list from James.
• http://www.tourismtransparency.org/news-and-reports/nld-statement-tourism
• http://www.dvb.no/analysis/citizen-diplomacy-through-tourism/14325
• http://www.tourismtransparency.org
• http://www.burma-center.org/en/traveling-to-burma/
• http://www.burma-center.org/en/publications/books-and-reviews/
• Mizzima News
• You can bring useful gifts such as books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, flash discs, or even an old laptop to donate to one or more of the projects that we are currently supporting (see above)

Whilst you are in Burma:

• We have designed your journey so that we use locally owned hotels, restaurants and shops. We look out particularly for businesses that engage in good outreach projects. If during your stay you hear about any such businesses, or you have any concern about the standing of any of the services that we use, please let us know as soon as possible.
• Please come with sufficient cash to purchase christmas and birthday presents for years to come! Engage with the market sellers and crafts people that you come across.
• Give time to any cultural exchange that you have whether it be a conversation with a trickshaw driver, a chat with a crafts person or a exchange with a market stand holder. Don’t go rushing in with your camera poised.
• Don’t raise political questions and issues in inappropriate situations; let a local direct the conversation. For example, don’t come out with something like: ‘Did you march with the monks in 2007?’ or anything about Aung San Suu Kyi or the NLD where there are others that may be listening in – even if you are riding on a trishaw. Show equal caution regarding what you ask or say on the phone or via email. Don’t ask a taxi driver to take you past Aung San Suu Kyi’s house or to a NLD office. Exercise care in handing over anything to a local that could carry political overtones (such as a copy of the Economist or Myanmar- related books).

 

 

Cultural Etiquette pointers;

 

• Always wear appropriate clothing when you visit religious sites (cover your shoulders and knees!)
• When addressing people, don’t leave out U (which stand for Mr) or Daw (which stand for Ms/Mrs)
• Speak slowly and clearly
• It is not always necessary to shake hands.
• Don’t hug or kiss in public.
• Don’t touch any adult on the head.
• Don’t step over any part of a person, as it is considered rude.
• Accept or give things with your right hand.
• Let the oldest be served first.
• Most locals don’t wear shoes in their homes. Take yours off when visiting.
• At religious places, remove footwear
• Treat Buddha images with respect.
• Tuck away your feet. Don’t point your feet toward the pagoda or a monk.
• Do not put Buddha statues or images on the floor or somewhere inappropriate.
• Don’t touch sacred objects with disrespect. Hold them in your right hand, or with both hands.
• Leave a donation when possible.
• Show respect to monks, nuns, and novices (even if they are children).
• Don’t offer your hand to shake hands with a monk.
• Sit lower than a monk and elders.
• Don’t offer food to a monk, nun, or a novice after noon time.
• A woman should not touch a monk.

When you get back home:

• Talk about your travel experience and as much as possible share it with others. You could for instance contribute to the responsible tourism movement by adding your story, photo, video, opinion piece, poem or anything you can come up with onto http://www.tourismtransparency.org
• Take the time to give us comprehensive feedback including what you liked and disliked, and add suggestions how they could reduce the negative impacts and increase the benefits to the local communities.