MILS project: responsible tourism in Shan State, Myanmar

The MILS (Milan municipality supporting Inle Lake Sustainable tourism) project aims to support the processes of fighting poverty and social inclusion through the promotion of responsible tourism as a development tool in the Taunggyi District, Shan State in Myanmar.
In particular, MILS aims to encourage the responsible tourism sector along three lines: strengthening sector governance, raising awareness among local communities and qualifying the offering of services with a view to sustainability.
The beneficiaries of the project are: ministerial and local officials responsible for tourism; 25 farmers and small coffee producers selected in collaboration with the District authorities; local farmers' organizations.

The partners are:

  • Municipality of Milan (leader),
  • Myanmar Hotelier Association - South Shan State,
  • ICEI.

The project, started in April 2018 and concluded in November 2020, continues with exchange and city-to-city cooperation activities in the field of responsible tourism.

  • Encouraging responsible tourism in Taunggyi District, Shan State in Myanmar; 
  • Promote, in concert with local and national institutions and the social partners, a democratic and participatory governance model based on respect for fundamental human rights, on the sustainable use of resources, on the promotion and valorisation of cultural heritage and local productions and on the active participation of civil society;
  • Promote actions aimed at eliminating forced and child labor and sexual exploitation;
  • Implement measures to combat poverty and social inclusion, through the valorisation of local production and resources.

  • Dissemination of the results of national and international environmental studies on climate change among civil society organizations and of the direct consequences of these on the region;
  • Creation of a cartography of the food system and of the overall Atlas of the planned mapping (food, water and land occupation systems, institutions involved);
  • Continuous training of civil society organizations on the topics of leadership, representativeness and responsibility of associations;
  • Joint development between the beneficiary groups of a territorial pact for the preservation of fibers and aquifers and for the prevention of soil waterproofing;
  • Experimentation of biotechnology for horticulture and reforestation nurseries;
  • Systemisation and strengthening of the 120 green micro enterprises existing in the target municipalities. Identification and launch of 80 new “green” jobs;
  • Introduction of MIV "model" (creation of agroecological gardens; valorization of bio-coal production; bio-fertilizer production units, agricultural product transformation units, water purification, production of seeds, plants and compost).

  • Strengthening the awareness of public authorities on the link between development and tourism and the analysis of some operational tools;
  • Improvement of the operational capabilities of the employees of the local economic realities linked to tourism with a view to qualifying the tourist offer and launching a pilot task force of trainers from the priority sectors of the value chain of the tourism sector, with the aim of promoting a continuous training system for sector workers;
  • Enhancement and promotion of the District's image through the exchange of experiences, in a community perspective of responsible tourism;
  • Raising awareness and training of the local community, small entrepreneurs and trade associations on the risks and opportunities of tourism development.

Short documentary on the good practices of Responsible Tourism that the city of Milan implements on its territory and shares with other cities in the world.

Updated: 29/09/2021