This simple guidance document was developed by the Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute, Hanns Seidel Foundation, and Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. It offers guidance to those in the tourism sector on how to protect children in institutions. The document defines orphanage tourism and provides an overview of orphanage tourism in Myanmar. The guidance also describes the situation of children in orphanages in Myanmar and the "orphanage myth" that many tourists hold to. The document explains the negative impacts of institutionalization on children and the ways in which orphanage tourism contributes to the problem, perpetuating the use of institutions and creating a demand for orphanages. The guidance concludes with recommendations to tour operators and others to help discourage orphanage tourism and raise awareness about the issue. The document also lists a few social enterprises to support and some considerations for choosing an organization to support when visiting.
