The non-profit organization the Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute (MRTI) has organized the second edition of the Myanmar Responsible Tourism Awards (MRTA), aiming to raise awareness of the tourism industry’s potential to generate meaningful social, economic, and environmental benefits.
“MRTA awards aim to shine a spotlight on the achievements of tourism businesses that are inspiring others to safeguard cultural and natural treasures for future generations,” said U Nyunt Win Naing, chairman of MRTI, at a press conference that was held on July 20 in Yangon.
“Our ambition is to use tourism to make places better for people to live. This will benefit the industry, as great places to live are great places to visit,” he added.
MRTI began giving the awards in 2017 in collaboration with the Business Innovation Facility and incorporating the Product & Package Innovation Competition (PPIC).
The awards have six categories for 2018 including Best Responsible Tourism Accommodation, Best Responsible Tourism Operator, Best Community Involvement in Tourism, Best Responsible Tourism Business Innovation, Best Responsible Tourism Awareness Raising Project and Best Responsible Tourism Product for Empowerment.
Sampan Travel won the Best Responsible Tourism Communication category in 2017 and Ko Thant Sin, coordinator from Sampan Travel, said that the award provided the energy and encouragement to keep working toward sustainability in Myanmar’s tourism industry at the press conference in Yangon.
“The winners of MRTA 2017 should be particularly proud of what they have achieved. They have been recognized as leaders in a responsible tourism movement where more is expected each year,” said U Nyunt Win Naing.
The application for the competition will be open from Aug. 10 to Sept. 21. After closing submissions, there will be a pre-selection period and the final event will be held in December.
Entry forms and further details are available at www.myanmarresponsibletourismawards.org.
