Mae Hong Son pilots green map

As a part of the United Nations’ holistic mission to improve living standards of communities in Mae Hong Son province, a green map project that supports local communities and environment friendly businesses was officially introduced last week. Mae Hong Son Green Map is designed for independent travellers who want to explore the province’s cultural and natural assets and support local communities and environment friendly businesses. Covering a project spanning, 2009 to mid-2013, eight UN agencies –FAO, UNIDO, UNFPA, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR, WHO and UNESCO – are collaborating with the provincial government. A tourism task force was set up chaired by the provincial governor and composed of government agencies, non-profit organisations and private stakeholders such as Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand, CBT-I, Thailand Research Fund, Provincial Office of Culture. CBT-I director, Potjana Suansri, told TTR Weekly that the task force would jointly develop criteria to identify eco-friendly and culturally-sensitive suppliers including attractions, activities, local markets, communities, hotel, restaurants, transport, souvenirs shops, spas and projects. “The criteria will not be too tough or precise so it can encourage locals to participate and do more to be green. Also, if they only pass some criteria they are certified to be included in the map.” Ms Potjana added that logo of certification would also be designed for  participants to display. In the first phase ,which should be ready by the start of the tourism season this November, the Green Map will be available in a digital version for tourists to download. Based on feedback, a printed version for the first phase might follow but it will depend on the budget. The complete map should be ready by April 2013 before the project ends in June. Ms Potjana added it might eventually graduate into a passport with tourists getting a stamp at each place they visit to earn points and a reward. Three months before the official launch, there were interviews with around 30 entrepreneurs in the province who have adopted a green approach or contributed something to communities and promote local culture to recruit them for the map. There will also be training about green practices for stakeholders to improve their sustainability performance such as — saving energy, reducing waste and field trips to visit community enterprises. Besides the map, the project also builds community-based tourism in two target communities: Tai Yai ethnic Muang Pon village in Khun Yuam district and Karen Muang Paem village in Pang Ma Pa district. It will build capacity of local eco-tour operators and guides to better serve independent travellers and to work more efficiently with CBT communities. From ttrweekly