ZinMai offers tours in Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand, with trained Thai guides and Burmese migrants who have a former experience in tourism. This region has been shaped by shared histories, cultural exchanges and migration, with Chiang Mai historically serving as a haven for Burmese migrants during periods of political and social struggle in Myanmar.
What do they do?
In these tours Myanmar migrants with experience in tourism will share their personal experiences as well as historical and cultural facts about the region. This initiative enables Burmese professionals from the tourism sector to have great job opportunities in Thailand.
These community-based tours will include visits and other activities in migrant-owned business such as restaurants, souvenir producers, tea shops, cooking class and handicraft workshops.
Located at the crossroads of Myanmar and Laos, Chiang Mai provides a beautiful backdrop for tourists to experience the beauty of Northern Thailand and gain a deeper understanding of its intercultural context.
This initiative will empower Burmese migrants economically, culturally and socially while raising awareness and educating tourists on the migration issue and the situation in Myanmar.
The Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute supports this project which is also in collaboration with Thai tourism operators, NGOs and local community organizations.
Sustainable tourism practice will be respected the entire tour, with sustainable activities, eco-friendly transportation, a no plastic policy and fair compensation for all participants.
How can you help?
You can take part in this project by booking a tour with ZinMai and enjoy this amazing cultural experience !
EXO Foundation support
EXO Foundation supported the development of this project with a donation that aims to provide training programs for Thai regional tourist guides and Myanmar migrants. The donation will also be spent on marketing and promotional materials for pilot tours, on conducting stakeholder workshops and interviews for co-designed tours and on evaluation systems to measure the social, economic and cultural impact of the tours.