Tourism to Burma on the rise - but UK travellers still wary
3rd March 2011
Visitor numbers to Burma are up more than 20%, official figures revealed last week - but UK travellers still make up a tiny percentage
No matter where you go in the world, you're bound to run into a Brit. Lager-louts aside, the British are well-known for their sense of adventure and love of travel.
But while visitor numbers to Burma - or Myanmar as it is officially known - are up almost 22% on the same period last year, it seems Brits are still wary of the military-ruled country.
Figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism show nearly 36,000 foreign tourists visited the south-east Asian country in January, the third straight increase in arrivals for that period.
However, UK travellers only accounted for 3.5% of visitors to the destination voted "Top emerging country" by readers in this year's Wanderlust Travel Awards.
Tim Milner, director of tour operator Bamboo Travel, attributes this to UK travellers making a conscientious decision to stay away.
"I think the trend in visitors may be up but the UK's share of this increase is still small, most probably out of respect for Aung San Suu Kyi," he said.
Burma has been off the travel radar for the past 15 years, with most travellers observing pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's calls for a tourism boycott.
But following her release from house arrest last November, Ms. Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), announced that the full boycott should be lifted.
Tricia Barnett, director of pressure group Tourism Concern, said: "Tourists are welcome back to the country, but the NLD's guidelines are clear: they wish to see visitors who come in solidarity with the people, either as individuals or in small groups."
But, she warned, the "brutality and oppression of the military regime in Burma has not diminished".
And while tour operators may be returning, Rough Guides still refuse to publish a guide book for the country.
So what should travellers do if they want to visit this unspoilt gem, with its ancient temples, golden pagodas, and warm and welcoming people?
"Those who go in large groups or on a cruise or stay in star-rated hotels are very likely to be contributing directly to the coffers of the junta and their cronies," said Tricia.
Instead, independent travellers, and those going with small tour operators, should choose wisely so as to hand as much of their tourist money as possible to ordinary Burmese.
"Wherever possible, we only deal with non-government hotels, airlines and companies in putting arrangements together," said Tim from Bamboo.
But with airport duties, hotel taxes, and admissions charges, it is impossible to visit Burma without contributing something to the regime, so travellers still face something of a moral dilemma.
"We featured Burma in the second ever issue of Wanderlust in 1994," said Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust founder and editor-in-chief.
"The story caused many strong reactions. Even Aung San Suu Kyi’s mother-in-law Josette rang and asked me not to promote Burma as a travel destination.
"Having respected Suu Kyi’s family's wishes over the years by not featuring Burma as a destination, I will be heading there in the next few months to look at the current situation and report back to Wanderlust readers," Lyn added.
Despite the politics of visiting Burma, most agree that one thing is certain.
"For those that decide to travel, an extraordinary, spiritual and exciting country awaits them," said Tim.
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