STAR Myanmar

The STAR project (Development of Responsible Environmental Tourism) aims to contribute to conserving the natural and cultural resources of Myanmar through the application of an eco-systemic approach that enhances the integration of natural, social, economic and cultural processes to encourage participatory and sustainable development. The area of ​​intervention will be the Tanintharyi region, the southern tip of the country.

As part of a multi-year collaboration with the Oikos Institute on development cooperation issues, the Municipality of Milan will support the promotion of community tourism in Myanmar through exchange and promotion events in Italy (e.g. International Tourism Exchange). Furthermore, it will provide methodological support for the establishment of a public-private partnership for the management of the destination at the district level and for the development of a tourism management plan for the Kawthaung district, through discussions in Italy and Myanmar with experts and public officials in matter of tourism development.

Direct beneficiaries: 5 participants in exchanges/study visits, 45 researchers from local and international universities, 20 park staff and 15 trained community members, 500 people participating in training courses, 1.500 people from the target villages reached by the awareness campaign, 450 microbusiness members, 80 local government members, private sector and civil society, 25.000 tourists by 2020.

Indirect beneficiaries: population in the target villages; authorities of the Tanintharyi Region, Ministry of Tourism (MOHT), private sector (hoteliers, restaurateurs, guides, tour operators).

The main partners are:

In Italy:

  • Oikos Institute (leader),
  • University of Insubria,
  • ASF (Architects Without Borders),
  • The municipality of Milan,
  • OB (Beautiful Hostel),
  • TCI (Italian Touring Club).

In Myanmar:

  • VWCD (Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, Burmese Ministry of Environment (MONREC),
  • Aquamarine Ecotourism Development Company Limited.

Project duration: 36 months, from 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2021.

  • Contribute to conserving Myanmar's natural and cultural resources through the application of an ecosystem approach that enhances the integration of natural, social, economic and cultural processes to encourage participatory and sustainable development
  • Promote the development of Responsible Environmental Tourism in the Tanintharyi Region through innovative and replicable models and practices on a national scale, based on strengthening the role of institutions and civil society and on interventions aimed at maintaining ecosystem services and generating income.

  • Development of a Destination Management Plan in the Kawthaung District: establishment of a Public-Private Partnership for the management of the destination at district level and technical and vocational training of its members
  • Establishment and strengthening of 5 Village Committees for Community Tourism in areas of environmental and cultural value. Technical and vocational training in the fields of tourism, conservation, participatory planning and conflict management
  • Regulation of ecotourism in the Lampi Marine National Park
  • Support for the creation of 5 Community Waste Management Systems and awareness campaign on waste and marine pollution
  • Organization of professional training courses relating to tourism
  • Creation/strengthening of 30 local micro-enterprises in the tourism and handicraft production sectors and support for the marketing of products through partnerships with private companies in Myanmar and Italy
  • Construction of a community-run Ecocamp in the village of Makyone Galet based on a partnership between community, park, tour operator, NGO
  • Launch of initiatives to raise awareness and conservation of key species for biodiversity and use of the park
  • Promotion of the Region's tourist destinations at national and international level

  1. Strengthened the skills of local actors for the management of cultural and environmental heritage and tourist offers through the establishment of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and the testing of innovative financial mechanisms for the Payment of Ecosystem Services (PES)
  2. Increased opportunities for social inclusion and income of resident communities through the experimentation and launch of innovative and community-based initiatives in the tourism, waste management and craft sectors
  3. Improved knowledge, valorisation and use of the cultural and natural heritage of the Region through the strengthening of local and international partnerships between institutions, universities and civil society.

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: 22/08/2022