Who is Exo tissimo ?

1. Elaborating profitable partnership mechanisms for the local communities, the private sector & the GMS countries

2. Who is Exotissimo? Exotissimo Travel is a leading inbound tour operator and destination management company to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. We organize everything from tailor-made tours for individual travelers to memorable trips for groups.

3. Our Network • Exotissimo Travel Group employs a team of over 500 travel professionals throughout our operations offices. • Vietnam • Ho Chi Minh City • Hanoi • Danang • Cambodia • Phnom Penh • Siem Reap • Laos • Vientiane • Luang Prabang • Pakse • Muang Sing • Myanmar • Yangon • Mandalay • Bagan • Heho • Thailand • Bangkok • Chiang Mai • Phuket

4. Some pro poor tourism samples “Akha Experience” with 8 villages in Muang Sing, Laos (Private Public Partnership: PPP) Overnight in pagodas in Myanmar & Cambodia Treks & overnight in national parks in the region to encourage preservation & conservation Homestays in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam Ecolodge along the Mekong: Kamu Lodge involve 2 villages & boatmen Voluntourism in Cambodia & Vietnam. Working on in Laos Integration of “Stay Another Day” modules into our programs through the region “Orchids Trek” (Phou Khao Kway, Laos) for preserving wild orchids with villagers and a private company Integration of the “Mekong Discovery Trail” into our programs in Cambodia; links with Southern Laos Support to AFESIP (NGO) to struggle sexual tourism and provide funds for training victims Training with our suppliers to buy-in responsible practices Training for our staff to choose the right suppliers 8/25/2014 8/25/2014

5. Role of tour operators & guides Tour Operators: 1- Promote the country and its patrimony to the international community 2- Spread out the benefices by encouraging clients to visit remote areas: access to the (international) market for locals, increase of their incomes, improvement of the well-being 3- Working with local communities and fair trade suppliers with true responsible commitment 4- Encouraging responsible practices among the travelers community Guides: 1- Encourage clients to choose responsible & sustainable practices 2- Visiting local suppliers 3- Advise customers on local customs, beliefs, what to see, where to go 4- Reporting on what they can observe in their duties

6. Value of Pro Poor Tourism Practices 1- A respectable sustainable commitment for all the stakeholders 2- Benefice for everybody as well as for social, environmental & cultural issues. Poverty alleviation. Preservation & conservation of the heritage 3- Participation of locals by integrating their knowledge; public sector involved 4- A vision for the future and the next generations Our values in PPTP … 1- Our skills about the expectations of the markets 2- Our network of sales & marketing 3- Local skills on the indigenous culture & area, participative approach 4- A vision for a sustainable future 5- A responsible approach (social, environment, culture) 6- Clients satisfaction 8/25/2014 8/25/2014

7. One sample: a Private Public Partnership (PPP) • Since 2004, Exotissimo, the villagers from 8 villages in Muang Sing district & the GTZ develop a PPP to create a sustainable & responsible tourism circuit • Stakeholders: • Villagers as owner of the tour • Exotissimo as marketing agent • GTZ as donor • Public sector as institutional support • Visitors as actors of the tour • Approach: • Participative • Eco-friendly • Responsible (ST-EP approach) • Win-win • Objectives: • Incomes & well-being for locals • Environment preservation • Unique Experience

8. But… some problems may occur 1- Misunderstanding between the stakeholders and the perception of the mandate & responsibilities of every one 2- Sometimes, lack of empowerment, spontaneity 3- Some important actors are missing, especially regarding land use, education or health issues 4- Not always the support of the public sector or concerned actors for a pertinent and safe environment 5- Accessibility sometimes difficult 6- Some degradations of the natural environment by “others” 7- Time consuming And… 8- How to face huge industrial & agricultural projects 8/25/2014 8/25/2014

9. Some solutions… 1- Participative approach, sharing experience. Learning from the past 2- Training & capacity building 3- True commitment of all the concerned actors and potential stakeholders Communities Public sector Private sector Donors 4- Zoning of the concerned area to permit a better understanding of the region before to start any project that aims as well the preservation of the environment; Establishment of a favorable environment to permit the development of tourism activities 5- Project should be profitable to everybody. If it’s not attractive, private sector won’t be interested 6- Private sector is not a bank. Define responsibilities for every one.

10. Needs in terms of capacity building 1- Hospitality, foreign languages, cross cultural communication 2- Cleanliness, hygiene 3- Local history and culture 4- Social & environmental issues 5- Improvement of quality 6- Perception on a long term view Needs in terms of basic infrastructures 1- Education, sustainable issues awareness 2- Health care systems 3- Perception on a long term view Needs in terms of coordination 1- Coordination between actors 2- Zoning of concerned areas 3- Perception on a long term view 8/25/2014 8/25/2014

11. For more details… • Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Jean-Yves • jeanyves@exotissimo.com

12. Thank you.