GATN Program Managers Training Chiangmai, Thailand, 22 – 27, April 2014

Last Updated (Tuesday, 18 March 2014 13:30)

Introduction

Alternative Tourism promotes fair and just forms of traveling activities between members of different communities, in order to achieve mutual understanding, solidarity and equality amongst the participants. It is a form of tourism that has minimum negative impact on the physical and sociocultural environment in destination areas and the local community is substantially benefited from the tourism programme.

Unlike mass tourism, the main characteristics of the YMCA Alternative Tourism follow the “CHANGE” principles that seeks to be Community centered, Holistic in approach, Advocating global citizenship and networking, Nature conserving, Gender and child sensitive, and Economically viable.

At the local YMCAs, Alternative Tourism has also been an effective programme for community organising, movement building, promoting community service and developing volunteerism. It is also an effective education tool for advocacy on important issues such as environment protection and climate change, sustainable development, global citizen education and human rights. And for many YMCAs it is also an effective income generation programme.

Currently 12 local sites have been developed in 7 countries and are listed in our website www.ymcatourism.org

This Workshop is part of a series of programmes planned to provide further training for Program Managers from YMCAs that were offering alternative tourism programs and those who were planning to host such alternative tourism programs.It is hoped that this workshop will contribute to help strengthen the implementation of CHANGE principles within our alternative tourism programmes.

 

 

Objectives

The main objectives of the Training Program are to :

i. Discuss current issues and trends in alternative tourism.

ii. Develop skills in developing alternative sites

iii. Develop marketing strategies for the promotion of Alternative Tourism.

 

Venue of the Training Program

The venue of the Training Program shall be in Chiangmai, Thailand. This is one of our ideal alternative tourism sites, hosted by Chiangmai YMCA. The reason for hosting this venue is that our participants get on-site training, how to conduct tour programs adhering to the APAY principles and code of Alternative Tourism.

 

Targeted Participants

Hosting Countries:The primary participants of Training Program shall be the Program Managers of our existing alternative tourism sites hosted, they are Pangasinan (Philippines), Yogjakarta (Indonesia), Bangkok (Thailand), Chiangmai (Thailand), Vietnam, Cambodia and Birisiri (Bangladesh).The YMCAs who are interested to host alternative tourism sites in the coming days, such as Vellachanai (Sri Lanka), Yellagiri (India), Penang (Malaysia), Myanmar, Nepal, East Timor, Bogra(Bangladesh) can also send their potential staff, who shall be entrusted to operate the alternative tour programs in their respective YMCAs.

Sending Countries: Countries with potentialities of sending visitors to the alternative tourism sites like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore are also encouraged to participate at the training workshop by sending their staff to the training. Staff involved in members and youth exchange, overseas study tours, international development are encouraged to participate at the program. This will be a good opportunity for them to get to know more about what the different sites have to offer.

 

Cost of Participation

The Participation Fee is US$ 200 and the Registration Cost is US$ 65 including the Green Fee. Registration Fee is mandatory for all participants. Limited Travel and Participation Subsidies are available for YMCAs with financial constraints. Requests for subsidies should reach the office before 31st March 2014.The last date of registration is on 31st March, 2014.

The cost includesaccommodation and food cost in Chiangmai from 22nd to 27thApriland cost of exposure program.

 

Weather
The temperature in Chiangmai is around 35 degrees Celsius.

For matters related to participation, contact:

Duncan Chowdhury
Executive Secretary for Programmes
Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
6/F Administration Building
Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TEL: (852)-2780 8347, 2770 3168
FAX: (852)-23854692
Skype: duncanchowdhury