Ayeyarwady Dolphin Conservation and Ecotourism

We initiated a community-based dolphin conservation and ecotourism project in 2014, involving leaders of fishermen from six villages. We explained the importance of protecting dolphins and the potential benefits of ecotourism, such as creating jobs and income. We also discussed how to provide food, accommodation, handicrafts and cooperative fishing experiences for the tourists, and conducted pilot tours.In 2016, the community formed a committee with representatives from each village, and established rules and regulations for the project, including setting prices for each year. By that time, there were 60 members from six villages. In 2016, the community members participated in a training on food and beverage service and housekeeping provided by the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. In 2015, 2017 and 2019, the community leader attended the World Tourism Day and Ecotourism Forum in Nay Pyi Daw. In 2018, 11 young people from seven villages received training on food and beverage production, housekeeping and front office skills in Mandalay and Shwe Bo MoHT. We also offered a Basic English speaking course for 25 people from eight villages. In December 2018, the project received the Best Community Involvement Tourism award in Myanmar from MRTI. In 2019, the community built a Dolphin Community Lodge and managed it by the DCCA team. From 2014 to 2019, the project attracted 1,889 local visitors and 1,034 foreign visitors, generating an income of 30,279,500 kyats and a development fund of 1,813,500 kyats for the communities. More than 500 community members from eight villages have participated in the project activities.