Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
-
Upload
undpenvironment -
Category
Documents
-
view
236 -
download
0
Transcript of Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
1/14
Equator Initiative Case StudiesLocal sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
NAM HA ECOTOURISMPROJECT
Empowered live
Resilient nation
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
2/14
UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE CASE STUDY SERIES
Local and indigenous communities across the world are advancing innovative sustainable development solutions that wo
or people and or nature. Few publications or case studies tell the ull story o how such initiatives evolve, the breadth
their impacts, or how they change over time. Fewer still have undertaken to tell these stories with community practition
themselves guiding the narrative.
To mark its 10-year anniversary, the Equator Initiative aims to ll this gap. The ollowing case study is one in a growing ser
that details the work o Equator Prize winners vetted and peer-reviewed best practices in community-based environmenconservation and sustainable livelihoods. These cases are intended to inspire the policy dialogue needed to take local succ
to scale, to improve the global knowledge base on local environment and development solutions, and to serve as models
replication. Case studies are best viewed and understood with reerence to The Power o Local Action: Lessons rom 10 Years
the Equator Prize, a compendium o lessons learned and policy guidance that draws rom the case material.
Click on the map to visit the Equator Initiatives searchable case study database.
EditorsEditor-in-Chie: Joseph Corcoran
Managing Editor: Oliver HughesContributing Editors: Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Erin Lewis, Whitney Wilding
Contributing WritersEdayatu Abieodun Lamptey, Erin Atwell, Toni Blackman, Jonathan Clay, Joseph Corcoran, Larissa Currado, Sarah Gordon, Oliver Hughe
Wen-Juan Jiang, Sonal Kanabar, Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Rachael Lader, Patrick Lee, Erin Lewis, Jona Liebl, Mengning Ma,
Mary McGraw, Gabriele Orlandi, Brandon Payne, Juliana Quaresma, Peter Schecter, Martin Sommerschuh, Whitney Wilding, Luna Wu
DesignOliver Hughes, Dearbhla Keegan, Matthew Konsa, Amy Korngiebel, Kimberly Koserowski, Erin Lewis, John Mulqueen, Lorena de la
Parra, Brandon Payne, Mariajos Satizbal G.
AcknowledgementsThe Equator Initiative acknowledges with gratitude the Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, and in particular the guidance and inputs o Souk
Phakasy, Head o Tourism Promotion & Marketing, Luang Namtha PTD. All photo credits courtesy o Nam Ha Ecotourism Project. Ma
courtesy o CIA World Factbook and Wikipedia.
Suggested CitationUnited Nations Development Programme. 2012. Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, Lao PDR. Equator Initiative Case Study Series. New York, N
http://equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/Power_of_Local_Action_Final_2013.pdfhttp://equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/Power_of_Local_Action_Final_2013.pdfhttp://equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/Power_of_Local_Action_Final_2013.pdfhttp://equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/Power_of_Local_Action_Final_2013.pdfhttp://equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_winners&view=casestudysearch&Itemid=858 -
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
3/14
PROJECT SUMMARYLocated in the remote northern province o Luang Namtha
on Lao PDRs border with China, the 222,400-hectare Nam
Ha National Protected Area includes some o the countrys
most signicant wilderness areas. Altitudes range rom river
valleys and plains to northern highland peaks, supporting a
broad range o habitats and biodiversity.
Since 1999, conservation eorts in the area have been
linked to improving the potential o local ecotourism, which
now underpins the economy or the areas 57 villages and
3,451 households. Community members are trained as eco-guides and operate village-based lodges and orest camps.
They are also trained to monitor threats to biodiversity in
the protected area, supporting the work o the critically
under-resourced Protected Area Management Unit. The
project has provided a model or co-management o Laoss
protected areas.
KEY FACTS
EQUATOR PRIZE WINNER: 2006
FOUNDED: 1999
LOCATION: Luang Namtha Province, northern Laos
BENEFICIARIES: Over 21,000 people in 57 villages
BIODIVERSITY: 222,400 ha National Protected Area
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background and Context 4
Key Activities and Innovations 6
Biodiversity Impacts 9
Socioeconomic Impacts 10
Policy Impacts 11
Sustainability 12
Replication 12
Partners 12
NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECTLao Peoples Democratic Republic
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
4/14
4
he Nam Ha Ecotourism Project, a project o UNESCO-Lao National
ourism Administration (LNTA), has provided a model or the
evelopment and operation o community-based ecotourism in
ao PDRs National Protected Areas (NPAs), based on the principles
local ownership and stewardship o natural resources. The Nam
Ha project has provided alternative employment and income-
enerating opportunities to communities living in and around the
22,400 hectare Nam Ha NPA, allowing them to reduce unsustainable
se and harvesting o natural resources in the NPA.
Nam Ha is located in the remote northern province o Luang Namtha
n Lao PDRs border with China, and includes some o the countrys
most signicant wilderness areas. Altitudes range rom river valleysnd plains to northern highland peaks, supporting a broad range o
abitats and biodiversity.
he majority o the NPA is covered by mixed secondary deciduous
orest, while the northern mountain range is home to patches o
rimary evergreen orest mixed with secondary orest and large
atches o Imperata grassland. Mammals o signicance include
louded leopard (Neoelis nebulosa), leopard (Panthera pardus), and
ger (Panthera tigris). There are also small populations o gaur (or
ndian bison), Asian elephant, and Muntjac deer. The area is home
o an estimated 288 species o bird and a high degree o botanical
iodiversity.
hree large rivers Nam Tha, Nam Fa, and Nam Long drain
outhwards to the Mekong ed by a dense network o tributary
treams. Initially established in 1993 with an area o 697 km2, the
NPA was extended to 2,224 km2 in 1999. As an area o outstanding
atural beauty and cultural interest, the site was incorporated in
he Association or Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heritage Park
rogramme, begun in 2003.
he Nam Ha Ecotourism Project began in October 1999 with the
im o creating a community-based ecotourism model that would
relieve local pressures on the NPA orest ecosystem, generate inc
and employment opportunities or local communities, and c
be replicated and extended throughout Lao PDR. Using a t
assessment methodology, the NPA Management Unit identied
ranked a number o direct threats to the ecological integrity o
protected area in 1999. The threats identied included slash-
burn agriculture, harvesting o non-timber orest products or
and consumption, and hunting o wildlie or consumption, a
which were primarily conducted by residents o the NPA.
Other harmul activities were predominantly carried out by outsi
including the hunting o wildlie or sale and ree-ranging dom
animals that disturbed wildlie populations through competitiohabitat and the spread o diseases. Timber harvesting was also
while road construction had reduced habitats while simultaneo
improving access or hunting and harvesting by outsiders.
Ecotourism in Luang Namtha has created local economic
employment opportunities contributing to the protection o na
and cultural heritage. Nam Ha guides and village-based tou
providers are drawn mostly rom ethnic minority commun
in Luang Namtha, one o the poorest provinces in Lao PDR.
project includes 57 villages, home to 3,451 amilies - a total ta
population o 21,227 people. Community members are traine
eco-guides and operate village-based lodges and orest camps.
are also trained to monitor threats to biodiversity in the protearea, supporting the work o the critically under-staed and un
resourced Protected Area Management Unit.
Extensive ecotourism inormation and education campa
targeted at policy-makers, the private sector and local commun
enhance the sustainability o tourism in Luang Namtha. As a r
o these campaigns, the NPAs various stakeholders have been
to work collaboratively to create regulations that protect the cu
and natural resources that underpin the provinces growing
protable ecotourism sector.
Background and Context
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
5/14
55
ocal communities work closely with the NPA management
uthorities to create cooperative agreements that dene stakeholder
esponsibilities in protecting the natural and cultural resources
pon which the ecotourism ventures are based; provide guidance
n the harvesting o non-timber orest products and other orest
esources; prohibit the unlicensed hunting or sale o wildlie; and
et aside tracts o village-managed orests as bird, wildlie and plant
anctuaries. The Nam Ha eco-guides have also worked with the Nam
Ha NPA management to introduce a trekking and NPA user permitee system that was the rst o its kind in Lao PDR, and is now being
ntroduced throughout the countrys system o twenty NPAs that
over approximately 13 per cent o its land area.
The Nam Ha Ecotourism Projects community-based mode
been widely replicated or national tourism development initia
and Luang Namtha is now established as a leading sustain
tourism destination. The project has gained international atten
or its work in alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable u
biodiversity, winning a British Airways Tourism or Tomorrow Aw
in 2002 and the United Nations Development Programme (UN
Equator Prize in 2006. Ater the conclusion o the pilot phase o
project in 2002, and an external review o its progress, the projsecond phase began in March 2005, unded by the Governm
o New Zealand, the Government o Lao PDR, and UNESCO.
projects principle implementation agency is the Luang Nam
Provincial Tourism Department.
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
6/14
6
Key Activities and Innovations
he Lao National Tourism Administration is a ministerial level
organization within the Prime Ministers Oce, and is the main
overnment agency concerned with guiding the development and
egulation o Lao PDRs tourism industry. This involves collaboration
with a large number o other ministries at both the national and
provincial levels. The countrys 16 provinces and the capital city,
Vientiane, each have a Provincial Tourism Department. In Luang
Namtha, the provincial oce works in close conjunction with the
Nam Ha NPA Management Unit. This includes ensuring the saety o
isitors to the NPA, setting policies and regulations or the tourism
ndustry, coordinating with local stakeholders in monitoring and
norcement o the NPAs regulations, collecting data on the health
o the areas cultural and natural heritage, and acilitating the processo licensing local tourism businesses.
he NPA Management Unit receives a limited annual budget to carry
out its duties, which include district patrolling, manning roadside
wildlie checkpoints, conducting environmental awareness training
n villages, and overseeing the NPA. However, the Management Unit
as little capacity to punish those ound illegally clearing orest or
elling wildlie, severely limiting its ability to deter inractions or
norce regulations. In total, the Management Unit comprises 32
ta members, with 16 at the provincial level, and a urther 16 in
ndividual district oces. Although unds are generated or use
by the NPA management rom trekking ees, the lack o human
esources constrains its ability to eectively utilize these unds.
he management o individual cultural and natural tourist sites is
perormed directly by local communities that have historically acted
s stewards o these resources, and their day-to-day operation is in
he hands o village authorities. A portion o revenues generated rom
ntrance ees is shared between the Tourism Department and the
ommunity to und marketing activities, publication o interpretative
materials, monitoring, and maintenance o inrastructure at the sites.
ince the introduction o the rst community-based ecotourism
programmes by the Nam Ha Project in 1999, there are now more
than 30 established tour circuits, involving some 50 commun
Participating communities have been prepared to provide ser
to tourists with support rom the Nam Ha project managem
using a community-based ecotourism methodology that incl
extensive community awareness-raising and skills training.
Integrated Conservation and Development Initiatives
Individual community-based projects are classied as Integr
Conservation and Development Initiatives and typically com
community agreements or concessions that provide rev
sharing mechanisms, income and inrastructure or the vill
in exchange or improved local environmental managemenorest conservation schemes. These agreements, approved by
Provincial Tourism Department, village and candidate tour ope
assign a single operator exclusive access to a community-based
circuit or host village based on rules governing the maximum
and requency o tour groups. The agreement also set a schedu
ees that the operator must pay the village or ood, lodging, vil
based guides, transportation, handicrats and trail mainten
etc. The agreement denes the areas that are o-limits to tou
activities and also sets ee schedules or user permits, entrance
and taxes. In the event o conficts between parties to the agreem
the Tourism Department mediates to solve the problem.
Four examples o these Integrated Conservation and DevelopmInitiatives include:
Ban Nam Dee development & community concession
Nam Dee waterall is located 4.5 km rom the provincial capit
Luang Namtha, in an area o orest that is a critical watershe
the towns public water supply. The waterall has been markete
a destination or visitors to the NPA or its natural beauty. The vi
signed an agreement to protect the watershed and manage
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
7/14
7
ite in exchange or assistance with marketing and inrastructure
evelopment. The Nam Ha Ecotourism Project co-nanced the
onstruction o walkways, bridges, a parking lot and toilets.
Bor Kung shrimp pool and dam
or Kung is a sacred spring near the town o Vieng Phoukha known
or its shrimp. The project has nanced the construction o a dam
o create a larger pool that allows villagers to bathe and wash
eparately rom the spring. While the site is yet to draw large visitor
umbers, the bathing area has improved the wellbeing o the local
ommunity and has preserved the spring in its natural state.
Khao Rao Cave with Ban Nam Eng community concession
he Khao Rao cave, the most visited in the province, is about 12 km
rom Vieng Phoukha. The Nam Ha Ecotourism Project supported the
urveying o the site or development activities, beore nancing
he installation o a lighting system, generator and walkway. A
ommunity concession agreement is in place which stipulates that
he village may retain 50 per cent o the entrance ees in return ornsuring that the cave ormations are not damaged, that a local
uide accompanies all groups into the cave, and that a 200-metre
rea o orest between the cave and roadside is not degraded.
Ban Nalan water system
an Nalan was one o the rst villages included in tourism activities in
999, and has become a success story or community development
nd tourism management. A clean water system was installed in
he village with our standpipes, while the village has a general
ommunity agreement governing local tourism service provision.
All visitors to Luang Namtha are targeted by inormation and
ducation campaigns that encourage cultural and environmental
ensitivity. The use o posters, a handbook, a website, and written
ehavioural guidelines displayed in tourist inormation centers,
ends a clear message regarding appropriate behavior, in a number
languages. Much o the material used to develop these messages
was contributed by host communities. Guide training also involves
component on how to acilitate culturally appropriate interaction
etween tourists and host communities.
egular contact between ocials and communities to monitor the
conomic, cultural and environmental impacts o tourism is a critical
spect o the NPAs management. Monitoring activities measurempacts at three levels: (i) the wider macroeconomic eects o
ourism on the provincial economy, (ii) the collective impacts o
ourism at the village level, and (iii) individual household perceptions
tourisms economic, social, environmental and cultural impacts
within communities. NPA management sta members and local
uides have been trained in data collection and analysis, with
n-going monitoring activities providing a fow o inormation to
ecision-makers and community leaders that allows them to identiy
nd remedy problems in tourism management when they arise.
Generating unds and sharing revenue
One o the major achievements o the Nam Ha Ecotourism Pro
has been the institutionalization o tourism revenue-sha
schemes, generating public unds or tourism management, vi
development, and conservation activities. The Eco-Guide Se
Unit, or instance, has a strict revenue-sharing arrangemen
the use o trekking ees paid by visitors. These percentages can
be changed without agreement between the Provincial TouDepartment, the Governors Oce, and the Provincial Agricu
and Forestry Oce.
All tourism revenues rom activities in Luang Namtha contribute
number o public unds, including:
Provincial Tourism Department Tax (5%)
This is a tax mandated by the Lao National Tourism Administra
on tourism activities nationwide. The Provincial Tourism Departm
can request contributions rom this central und; the Luang Nam
provincial oce has used these unds or marketing activities an
support the District Tourism Oces.
Village Development Fund (8%)
Managed by the Provincial Tourism Department, this und is u
to repair tourism inrastructure or purchase equipment or vil
lodges and cooking. There is no ormal mechanism or village
apply or its use.
Provincial Tax on Income (10%)
The Provincial Tax Oce charges a fat tax o 10 per cent on inc
This does not go towards any conservation, tourism managem
or development activities, but instead contributes to the Provi
Treasury.
Nam Ha NPA Trekking Permit (4%)
A USD 1.00 per person, per day trekking permit ee is levied
all tours, whether or not they pass through the protected area
Fig.1: Breakdown of Ecoguide Service Unit Revenue
Source: Nam Ha Ecotourism Project
Food
20%
Transport
16%
Accommo
4%
Guide
27%Trek permit
4%
Village Development
Fund
8%
Provincial Tourism
Department
5%
Provincial tax on income
10%
Administration
4%
Village Services
1%
Handicrafts
1%
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
8/14
Muang Sing and Vieng Phoukha these ees are paid to the District
Agriculture and Forestry Oces or use by the district-based NPA
Management Unit sta, and in Luang Namtha the ees are paid to
he provincial NPA Management Unit. These ees und conservation
activities such as patrolling, trail maintenance and conservation
awareness-raising activities in villages.
According to 2010 gures rom Luang Namtha Provincial Tourism
Department, visitor numbers and annual ecotourism revenue grewteadily between 2001 and 2008. O this income (totalling almost
USD 1,000,000 between 2001 and 2009), 27 per cent has been
directed to public unds. Other than local taxes and Provincial Tourism
Department expenses (used or the inormation centre, meetings
and administration) the remainder has been paid to villages, local
guides, transport operators, and or local ood and handicrats. I all
ouristm spending in the province is taken into account, the total
evenue rom tourism accruing to local communities is much higher.
The project has identied a number o innovative strategies as being
undamental to its community-based tourism, conservation and
development methodologies. Chie among these is the integration o
ourism and natural resources management into the Luang Namtha
provincial government strategy and priorities. Political support
or tourism development and environmental protection goals has
underpinned the Nam Ha Project rom the outset. Secondly, the
projects transparent revenue sharing and cooperative agreements
have distinguished it rom many similar eorts. Thirdly, responsive
gender awareness-raising has been an important component o the
management o Nam Ha NPA.
Finally, the project has played a proactive role in develo
diversied village livelihood activities. Tourism numbers or L
Namtha declined in 2009, possibly as a result o the global econ
crisis, while the community o Ban Nalan has aced incre
competition rom private tour operators. It has thereore
important to develop supplementary livelihood strategies o
NPA communities by reinvesting revenues rom tourism.
8
Source: Nam Ha Ecotourism Project
Fig. 2: Visitor number and ecotourism revenue 2001-2009
0
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
6,00
7,00
8,00
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
Annual revenue (USD) Visitor numbers
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
9/14
9
Impacts
BIODIVERSITY IMPACTSAdding value to natural resources
The Nam Ha Ecotourism Project has contributed to the conservation
nd sustainable use o the NPAs biodiversity in a number o ways.
Through the development o alternative livelihood opportunities,
he Project has reduced pressure on the natural resources o the
NPA, with over 100 local people now employed as guides, cooks,
handicrat producers and accommodation and transportation
providers in the 17 villages that host community-based ecotours.
Additionally, the development o community-based tourism
projects has conerred a new type o value on the ecosystems andbiodiversity o the NPA in the ollowing way: a community member
hat would ormerly have harvested wild orchids or USD 0.20 per
kg can now lead a group o tourists to these orchids as a village-
based guide or USD 5 per day. The same principle holds or ormer
hunters who are now employed as guides leading tourists to birds
nd wildlie. Local communities can now see a direct link between
he economic benets o orest-based ecotourism and conservation
nd protection o the natural and cultural resources upon which it
s based.
Generating unds or conservation
Ecotourism has also generated unds or protected areamanagement and conservation extension work. The guide service
lone has generated over USD 8,000 or this since 1999, while other
our operators in Luang Namtha that are required to pay NPA user
ees have paid over USD 10,000 to the NPA Management Unit since
2002. This source o revenue has helped to support this otherwise
underunded oce.
Another benet or the NPA management has been the devolution
o monitoring, reporting and enorcement or conservation to the
Provincial Tourism Department, the ecoguides, and the tourism
network throughout the NPA. This wide network o stakeholderreinorced conservation and wildlie protection messages. Vil
are more likely to report poaching or orest clearance transgres
to the Provincial Tourism Department, which in turn coordin
with the district-level or central NPA Management Unit. The
management sta is also permanently stationed within the pr
area, helping to integrate conservation principles into tou
activities. The Nam Ha Ecotourism Project has helped to market
advocate or the Nam Ha NPA, raising the prole o its conserv
benets at the provincial and national levels.
The establishment o village-based sanctuaries, meanwhile
created small islands within the orest too allow or the regener
o non-timber orest products and small wildlie species. development and enorcement o cooperative agreements betw
communities, tour operators and NPA managers has ensured
communities are invested in maintaining their local heritage
receive a air share o the economic benets that this gener
Finally, village-based monitoring teams and the presence o to
on walking trails in the NPA has discouraged illegal activities su
poaching and illegal harvesting o non-timber orest products.
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
10/14
Threats to the protected area remain, however. Tracts o orest
have been cleared or rubber cultivation in recent years by private
nvestors. While some attempts have been successully resisted
with the support o the Governors Oce, the capacity o the NPA
Management Unit and provincial Forestry Division to eectively
police and enorce these concessions has been undermined by a
ack o resources. A Forestry Conservation Fund has been created at
he national level, with unds being made available or investments
n inrastructure, reorestation, inormation signs, bush re checkpoints, and hiring sta, but to date, these unds have not reached
he Nam Ha NPA. More rigorous monitoring systems are necessary
o eectively halt urther deorestation, and this will require
considerable unding and political support.
SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS
Alternative livelihoods and job creation
Ecotourism generates signicant revenue or the local economy.
Community eco-guides and associated service providers have
eceived over USD 600,000 since 1999 rom the Eco-Guide ServiceUnit treks alone. This represents signicant additional income or
a province where the GDP per capita is USD 389, versus USD 678
nationally.
Tourism has supplemented traditional village livelihoods, allowing
community members to diversiy their occupations, save money,
purchase household items and pay school ees. For instance, women
used to spend one or two days collecting bamboo or rattan shoots
and then another day transporting them to market by oot, and
could expect to earn USD 1-2 per day. These women can now spend
wo to three hours preparing a meal or tourists, and earn USD 3-6,
without having to venture ar rom the village. The remaining time
can be used or childcare or other household or economic activities.
n terms o job creation, the accommodation sector employs
more than 300 people in Luang Namtha, while there are 172 ull
and part-time guides active in the province. Several hundred
additional community members derive part-time employment rom
community-based tourism activities as ood and accommodation
providers. Throughout the province, the tourism sector is estimated
o support more than a thousand additional job opportunities
n restaurants, on tourism-related construction projects, in tour
agencies, transportation, producing handicrats, or supplying
agricultural products to the tourism supply chain, making it a
prominent source o local employment.
By training local people as guides or more than ten years, and
establishing realistic and achievable guidelines or local small-scale
ourism investment, the Nam Ha Project has supported private sector
expansion and development in Luang Namtha. To date, our new
private eco-guide service units have been launched in connection
with the Nam Ha National Protected Area.
Channeling revenue to communities
In 2006, the Nam Ha Eco-Guide Service Unit sold 359 tours or a
o 1,787 persons, and generated USD 56,940 in gross revenue.
revenue accrued to participating communities in the ollowing w
Communities and Merchants Selling Food & Water
On all tours, ood and water is purchased at a set rate o USD
per meal, per person or a set menu. A small ee or cooking
rewood is included in this price.
Accommodation in Villages
The price o village-based accommodation was raised to aro
USD 2.00 per night in 2007. This money is paid directly to the vil
Villagers receive a portion o the ee in return or housekeeping,
the remainder going into a village und or lodge maintenance
other communal activities.
Transportation
Transport costs vary rom USD 6-20 per trip depending on
distance and mode o transportation. Fees are paid directly to
driver, boatman or owner o the vehicle.
Guide Fees
Lead guides are paid USD 10-15 per day; assistant guides USD
day, and village guides USD 5 per day. With groups o our or mtourists there are three guides per trip.
Handicrats
A simple traditional handicrat is included in the price o each
and is presented to the tourists as a git by one o the village
the tour route. Villages that are designated to supply handicrat
usually the last village on a tour circuit. A set price o USD 1.7
the handicrat was negotiated in 2006 between communities
tour operators. Additional sales are oten made by the design
handicrat village or other villages.
10
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
11/14
Village Service Fees
Some villages on tour routes are asked to boil water, prepare picnic
ites in the orest, or perorm other small logistical support tasks or
our groups. They are paid or these services each time.
These categories represented USD 41,069 in total trip expenses paid
o local service providers in 2006. The balance o USD 15,871 was
paid into public unds, including Village Development Funds and
axes, and covered the Nam Ha Eco-Guide Service Unit operationsand maintenance costs.
ncluding women and minorities
The Luang Namtha Provincial Tourism Department and Nam Ha
Eco-Guide Service mainstream gender issues into all tourism-related
activities in the province. Monitoring data is disaggregated by
gender and ethnicity, and shows that women and ethnic minorities
have a high rate o participation in community-based tourism
ventures run by the Nam Ha Eco-Guides. For instance, in 2006, 20
per cent o the guides were women and 95 per cent were members
o ethnic minorities. Luang Namtha province has over 20 ethnic
groups, representing about 66 per cent o the provincial population.The Nam Ha Guide Service has played a leading role in the provincial
Ethnic Minority Participation Programme, which encourages the
nclusion o ethnic minorities in conservation and development
activities.
POLICY IMPACTS
The UNESCO-LNTA Nam Ha Ecotourism Project has ormed a
part o national policies or both rural development and Lao P
tourism sector. The latter is guided by the Lao PDR National Tou
Strategy or 2006-2020 which emphasizes the developmen
tourism products and services based on the countrys cult
natural and historic attractions. This strategy is exemplied byNam Ha Ecotourism Projects approach - it is estimated that m
than hal o the value o the Lao tourism industry is derived
nature- and culture-based activities.
The positive role tourism plays in national development,
specic reerence to sustainable tourism models in Luang Nam
has been identied and elaborated on in the National Growth
Poverty Eradication Strategy, the Sixth National Socio-Econ
Development Plan (20062010), the National Tourism Strategy
National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan (20062010)
the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. The NPA Managem
Unit remains under-unded, however, and requires strengthe
to improve the sustainable management o the protected aresources.
11
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
12/14
12
Sustainability and Replication
SUSTAINABILITYWhile the sustainability o Nam Ha Ecotourism Project is contingent
n many nancial, environmental and social actors, its transparent
rganizational structure has been o paramount importance in its
ustained success. The development o ecotourism has ensured that
many programme areas are sel-sustaining. For example, the Nam Ha
co-Guide Service Unit has been nancially sustainable since 2002.
urthermore, nancial management o the Project is transparent.
cological sustainability, meanwhile, has been ensured by the
se o practices that minimise waste generation such as use o
iodegradable packaging and non-imported oods, reduction in these o uel and use o renewable solar and micro-hydro energy in
illage lodges. Tour groups are usually kept to less than ten people to
minimise environmental and cultural impacts on villages and trails.
ocal communities strong support or the project relies on several
nstitutional actors, including participation o women and ethnic
minorities in service provision and management, reinvestment o a
ubstantial portion o revenue into village development activities,
nd ability to cover all operations and maintenance costs without
ubsidies or external unding. Specic regulations regarding
management and supervision o the service have been developed in
ollaboration with guides, communities and provincial and national
evel authorities.
REPLICATION
ased on success o Nam Has Eco-Guide Service model, guide
ervices have been initiated in two additional districts in Luang
Namtha Province, while three services were opened in three separate
rovinces in Lao PDR between 2004 and 2006. In part, replication
the Nam Ha model has been acilitated by tourism awareness
eminars held in the province or policy-makers and tourism service
roviders.
PARTNERSAt the provincial level, many stakeholders are involved in
development and management o Nam Ha Ecotourism Project
main bodies involved in the ongoing implementation o the pr
include:
The Lao National Tourism Administration: Provides tra
and certication or guides, accommodation, restaurants
transportation providers; monitors and enorces tourism-re
rules and regulations; assists with marketing and promot
activities; and screens investment proposals. The Luang Nam
Provincial Tourism Oce also provides the Nam Ha Guides oce space, equipment and a acility rom which to coordinate
sell their tours.
The Nam Ha National Protected Area Management Unit: Cond
conservation awareness and patrolling in and around the prote
area, using permit ees generated by the Nam Ha Eco-Gu
The management unit is also responsible or enorcing rules
regulations regarding the use o protected area resources, promo
ecotourism, and conducting research within the park.
United Nations Educational, Scientic and Cultural Organiza
(UNESCO): Has provided technical assistance and monitoring
nancial support rom the New Zealand Government since 1999Phase II o the Nam Ha Project, this unding totaled USD 408,99
Private sector tour operators and tourists: Adhere to the operat
rules and regulations regarding visitor behavior, inclu
prohibitions on wildlie consumption and the purchase o antiq
limits on tour group sizes and weekly departures, and requirem
to use local guides, pay NPA permit ees, remove all waste, cons
only village-produced ood on all tours, and respect local cu
belies and customs. Tour operators are also involved in im
monitoring and in training and career development.
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
13/14
1313
dditional stakeholders that play less direct roles in the operation
nd management o the Nam Ha Ecotourism Project are listed below:
Provincial Governors Ofce: sets tourism development policy,
approves rules and regulations on tourism development and
management.
Provincial Tourism Department / District Tourism Ofces: licenses
and regulates tourism businesses, promotes tourism investment,including investment in small-scale community-based tourism,
provides tourism-related training to the public and private
sectors, undertakes destination marketing and promotion,
monitors impacts.
Communities: actively participate in and benet rom tourism
activities, participate in the creation o operational rules and
regulations or tourism in villages, conserve and manage natural
and cultural resources.
Land Use Planning and Management Ofce: perorms land use
planning and land use allocation, registers land and issues land
ownership certicates.
Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Ofces: regulate tourism
development and management in the NPA, supervise the
conservation and management o the NPA
District Agriculture and Forestry Ofces: monitor and enorce
orestry and land-use laws, disseminate rules and regulations on
the conservation and management o the NPA or local people,
identiy tourism development zones, promote agricultural
extension and ood production activities
Department o Inormation and Culture: promotes conservationactivities related to local culture and traditions, and
archaeological and historic sites; manages cultural resources
including museums, cultural tourism sites and antiquities.
Science, Technology and Environment Ofce: Oversees the
environmental impact assessments process, collabor
with PTO to set up environmental management plans
regulations, establishes systems or managing solid waste
wastewater, and monitors impacts.
NGOs and Donor Agencies: provide technical and na
assistance where needed and requested.
Department o Planning and Investment: reviews and apprinvestment licenses, promotes investment in the tourism se
Department o Communication, Transport, Post and Construc
surveys, designs and approves construction o tou
inrastructure
Tourist Police: coordinate with PTO to regulate tou
businesses, issues rules and regulations on saety and sec
or visitors, regulate tourist guides according to governm
rules, and assist tourists with legal matters and lost prop
claims.
Army: is consulted when zoning areas or tourism, is involve
controlling access to and patrolling the NPA.
Womens Union: promotes gender equity and ge
mainstreaming in the tourism sector, encourages
participation by women and ethnic minority women in tou
activities.
Department o Industry and Commerce: promote handic
and local products, licenses small businesses, constructs
regulates market places.
Lao Front or National Construction: helps encourage participation to protect and conserve natural and cul
resources; helps resolve conficts in and between villages.
Lao Youth Union: conduct awareness building activities on
to mitigate negative impacts o tourism on youth.
-
7/27/2019 Case Studies UNDP: NAM HA ECOTOURISM PROJECT, Lao PDR
14/14
Click the thumbnails below to read more case studies like this:
Equator Initiative
Environment and Energy GroupUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
304 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: +1 646 781 4023
www.equatorinitiative.org
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UNs global development network, advocating or change and
necting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better lie.
The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizati
o recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions or people, nature and resilient communities.
2012 by Equator Initiative
All rights reserved
FURTHER REFERENCE
Presentation on Community-based Ecotourism in Luang Namtha Province. http://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/ev
community_dor/documents/Presentations/Asia/Nam_Ha_Laos.ppt
Schipani, S. and Marris, G. 2002. Linking Conservation and Ecotourism Development: Lessons rom the UNESCO-National Tourism
thority o Lao PDR Nam Ha Ecotourism Project. http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/directory/publications/linking_conservation_and
otourism_development.pd
Schipani, S. 2006. Ecotourism as an Alternative to Upland Rubber Cultivation in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, Luang Nam
Juth Pakai Issue 8. http://www.unescobkk.org/leadmin/user_upload/culture/namha/Pages_rom_Juth_Pakai_8_-_ecotourism_
ber_only.pd
http://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/com_winners/casestudy/case_1348163412.pdfhttp://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/com_winners/casestudy/case_1348261464.pdfhttp://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/com_winners/casestudy/case_1348150616.pdfhttp://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/com_winners/casestudy/case_1348261312.pdf