How do you create enduring tourism development materials when political instability threatens to disrupt implementation?
Developing flexible tourism communication materials for Dawei that could remain valuable despite uncertain political conditions.
Key Findings
Evergreen Over Time-Sensitive
Focus shifted from immediate implementation to creating materials that would retain value regardless of when they could be used.
Local Language Matters
Creating materials in Myanmar language significantly increased their potential for long-term local use and adoption.
Digital First Approach
Digital formats proved more resilient than traditional workshop materials in uncertain conditions.
The Challenge
What started as a standard tourism development project in Dawei, Myanmar, quickly evolved into a complex challenge when a coup d'état occurred during the project. We needed to:
- Pivot from planned in-person workshops to creating enduring resources
- Develop materials that could be valuable regardless of when implementation became possible
- Ensure resources could be used independently by local stakeholders
- Create content that would remain relevant despite uncertain political conditions
Our Approach
We adapted our strategy to focus on creating flexible, enduring materials that could be implemented whenever circumstances allowed:
Results and Impact
Despite challenging circumstances, the project delivered:
- Comprehensive Resource Package
- Five complete communication tools
- Dual-language versions of all materials
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Digital and print-ready formats
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Practical Implementation Guides
- Step-by-step instructions for key tourism activities
- Self-assessment tools for sustainability
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Ready-to-use templates and frameworks
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Foundation for Future Development
- Materials designed for independent local use
- Flexible implementation timelines
- Scalable approaches for different circumstances
Key Learnings for Tourism Organizations
Plan for Uncertainty
Tourism development materials should be designed to remain valuable even if implementation timelines shift dramatically.
Focus on Fundamentals
Basic tourism principles and practices remain valuable regardless of external circumstances.
Empower Local Implementation
Materials that can be locally implemented without external support provide more resilient value.