Workshop on formation of Myanmar Tourism Board held

Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism Dr Htay Aung attended the workshop on the formation of the Myanmar Tourism Board for the systematic implementation of sustainable tourism in Myanmar yesterday morning through videoconferencing in Nay Pyi Taw.
At the workshop, the Union minister said that tourism is a service industry with a deep and broad nature and it is an important activity in preserving cultural heritage and natural resources, in addition to socio-economic development. He highlighted the need to take the studies drawn up at the national and international level into account in developing projects and plans as there are possible side effects in running a tourism business.
He called on the participants of the workshop to take into account the research conducted by the Ministry and the international community in the preparation to form the Myanmar Tourism Board. He mentioned the need to consider the emergence of good plans that can cover not only the economic sector but also the development of the whole society. The private sector, government and the people must work together for sustainable tourism in Myanmar, he continued.
Afterwards, the Myanmar Tourism Federation chairman discussed matters in connexion with the formation of the board, and Director U Naung Naung Lin Aung explained the formation of the tourism boards in the international community and their activities.
The general secretary of the Myanmar Tourism Federation presented the inclusion of the private sector in the board, the purpose of the formation, requirements, proposed amendments to be implemented. Then, a panel discussion was held by four groups on four topics, including legal and policy issues, duties and responsibilities of the board, finance, and board structure.
Director U Zeya Myo Aung briefed the results from the workshop and the Union minister concluded the meeting.
The Union minister also attended and addressed an opening ceremony of the “Training for the Trainers for the Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations – AESA” organized by the Asian Ecotourism Network – AEN. It is reported that the training was attended by 98 international trainees and 29 officers from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. — MNA