Would you now travel to Burma?

Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi.

With the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi a few days ago, the official Burmese opposition (NDL) is ending a 15-year campaign of urging foreigners to stay away.

Following these surprise developments I thought you’d like to read what one of our Southeast Asia managers – who has visited the country several times – has to say.

I’ve read with interest the recent news coverage on Burma and I’m encouraged that the NLD (National League for Democracy), Burma’s main voice of government opposition, has reviewed its stance on travel to Burma.

For those of us here at Audley that have been lucky enough to travel to Burma, we feel rather protective of the country and its people, particularly as we have operated in Burma for 15 years, and we all strongly agree that this shouldn’t be seen as a green light for mass tourism ventures.

The NLD still warns against the detrimental effects mass tourism can bring but now recognises that small numbers of discerning travellers with an interest in Burma’s situation can bring many positive effects to the ordinary people of Burma.

This change of stance reaffirms our own long standing position on travel to Burma and will not precipitate a change in how we operate in the country.

We will continue to avoid, where we can, the use of government-run hotels and services, and comply with the EU legislation on trade with Burma. We hope that more (but not too many) travellers will make their way to Burma and see how responsible, managed tourism can make a difference.

For those that have travelled to Burma, it is often considered one of the most memorable of their travel experiences – it certainly has been for me. I don’t think I’ve ever received a warmer, more genuine and welcoming encounter with local people than I had in Burma. 

We cannot ignore the fact that the issue surrounding travel to Burma will remain a complex one, but along with the recent release of Aung San Suu Kyi we hope that these small steps will lead to a more positive future for Burma.

If you want to find out more about the many arguments for, and against, travel to Burma, we have a detailed paper on our website.

Kate
Audley’s Product Manager for Burma

Are you someone who has disagreed with our pro-travel view on Burma? If so, do you now feel differently?  Would you now contemplate travelling to Burma in accordance with the NDLs wishes?

Please feel free to tell us what you think by clicking on the main title above and leaving a comment.

2 Responses to “Would you now travel to Burma?”

  1. David Dagley  on November 27th, 2010

    I traveled to Burma for six weeks back in 1996. ‘Welcome Myanmar Year’. And again on two occasions over the border through Thailand. In 1996, Aung San Suu Kyi pretty much had the same stance; not a lot of tourists, but those that are interested. Come see what goes on in the country, try and get off the beaten track with a back pack. That’s what I remember on that note. I also remember that the infrastructure wasn’t prepared to handle a lot of tourists and a military government tax on any establishment or otherwise legitimate businesses had to register. And there were a lot of secret police, Tatmandaw; visible and invisible. I wrote a book called ‘Cale Dixon and the Moguk Murders’. A detective ventures into the black market circles in Burma and learns about the Mouguk ruby. I have a good blog site that is complimentary to yours. Check it out. DD

  2. Douglas Jack  on December 13th, 2010

    I travelled around Burma in 2005 and again in 2009 (neither trip with Audley) and noticed a big difference between the two trips, particularly in Rangoon. I have always taken the same view as Audley regarding travel to Burma, and I do believe that small numbers will help to ease the country towards a better political system, by the simple exposure to a different way. Sadly I do not believe that the ‘freeing’ of Aung San Suu Kyi will have a positive effect as the popular expectations are wildly out of line with any likely outcome. The people of Burma are still amongst the most friendly in the world, perhaps surprising in view of the repression, and I would go again without any feeling that I should not.


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