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BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PROGRESS ON THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MARKET ACCESS PARTNERSHIPS PROJECT (CSR-MAP) FOR THE CSR-MAP FAM TRIP, JUNE 21-27, 2010
BACKGROUND: THE CSR-MAP PROJECT
The Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Access Partnerships (CSR-MAP) for Thai Sustainable Tourism Supply Chains project is working with Thai suppliers which offer 'responsible,' 'green' and 'sustainable' tourism products, as well as Thai communities, which have developed community-based tourism (CBT) programmes, and EU tour operators with a firm commitment to supporting sustainable tourism. The project aims to assist these suppliers to raise sustainability standards and improve their access to European 'responsible tourists'.
The CSR-MAP project is giving Thai suppliers the opportunity to learn about the European market's demand for sustainable tourism products and standards; participate fully in the development and improvement of Sustainable Tourism Standards', gain recognition from European tour operators; and develop and market innovative and integrated sustainable tourism products — Thai Sustainable Tourism Routes, tailored to the needs of EU tourists.
SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS
Between March and September 2009, the five Thai supplier groups developed new sustainable tourism standards through participatory processes, facilitated by the project partners. A set of 'common principles' was also developed, based on the suppliers' new standards. The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria — GSTC was used as a common frame of reference during the standards development process, adapted as necessary to the Thai context and priorities.
The standards were sent to ECEAT, the European partner for feedback. Feedback was prioritized and discussed in depth by over 70 participants at a National workshop to discuss SME Green Hotel, Ecotourism and Community Based Tourism standards, with the involvement of product suppliers; held in Bangkok, Thailand on 3rd and 4th November 2009.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ROUTES ... AN INNOVATION FOR THAI TOURISM
During December 2009 and January 2010, the project team surveyed the country, searching for interesting, innovative activities for visitors who are interested to experience a different side of Thailand. Guests can stay in Green Hotels, visit community based tourism projects and dine in green restaurants, organised by quality tour operators and lead by trained eco-guides.
Twenty sustainable tourism routes have been designed, which meet the needs of 'comfort travellers', looking for unique experiences within the comfort zone, and more adventurous guests looking for a 'local Insight' including an overnight village stay. Each route is themed, giving guests a special insight into a particular aspect of Thai life such as cooking, arts, crafts or traditional occupations. Many of the routes are market ready. Others are under development and can be further adapted according to the needs of tour operators and their guests.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THAI SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SUPPLIERS
Five pilot routes were selected to showcase during the 'fam trip', based on demand from EU tour operators, and the project team's assessment of which routes were most ready for market. Synergy training, 31 May to 2 June, 2010, built the capacity of suppliers situated along the routes to meet their proposed standards. Training content was based on participants' needs, as well as issues considered particularly important to European tourists, including Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation, how to reduce Climate Change and Developing a Code of Conduct for 'responsible tourists'.
The training also aimed to catalyze cooperation among suppliers located on the sustainable routes. A total of 110 participants joined the training, including 80 representatives of community based tourism communities, professional ecotourism guides, restaurants and hotels committed to sustainable tourism, and tour operator members of the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA).
The suppliers shared the highlights of their 'services' and 'sustainability' achievements, and considered how they could work together more closely to develop creative products. One of the most exciting outcomes of the synergy training was that it showed suppliers located in the same area that there were other people close to home, committed to enjoyable, sustainable tourism. Prior to and following the synergy training, the TEATA team performed field inspections and training along routes.
In June 2010, European tour operators and media have an opportunity to survey one of the new sustainable tourism routes on a FAM Trip. At the end of the project, partners will share their new standards and other outcomes of the project with Thai government agencies and other stakeholders at a National Policy Workshop. They will discuss how to build capacity to reach standards, disseminate, fund and assess the standards. THE CSR-MAP FAM TRIP PROGRAMME PILOT ROUTES AND
SERVICE AND SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS
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