Travel to Myanmar (ex-Burma) – one of the least visited destinations in Southeastern Asia – has been target of innumerous discussions regarding whether its tourism industry is a beneficiary for the direct development of its people or if it’s a mere tool for sponsoring the activities of a cruel dictatorship that has been ruling the country for almost four decades now. Supported by important political figures and tourism stakeholders, the boycott to tourism in Myanmar still faces opposition from other important voices in the tourism publishing industry and media, as well as from some major Burmese citizens and organizations.
Since 1962 Myanmar’s government has been taken by a military Junta, a brutal dictatorship charged by the United Nations with a “crime against humanity” for its systematic abuse of human rights. Therefore, the country is still affected by various international sanctions and protests; there is very few freedom of speech and its population lives without almost any knowledge about the outside world.
In May 1990, free elections happened for the first time in the country in almost three decades, but the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) had never had their victory honored. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize and leader of the opposition to the Burmese military government that has been kept under house arrest since 1989, made a statement in 1999 that put in doubt the real benefits of tourism activities to her country: “Burma will be here for many years, so tell your friends to visit us later. Visiting now is tantamount to condoning the regime”.
Since then, UK-based organization ‘Tourism Concern’ has vehemently taken position and has engaged into a world-wide campaign for the tourism trade and travelers to avoid tourism in Myanmar, with the main argument that the foreign revenue generated by tourism (over $100 million a year, according to them) funds the military government and its atrocities against the Burmese people. Furthermore, cases of forced labour have been linked to the construction of hotels, roads, golf courses and other facilities/infrastructures to develop tourism in the country. Due to the fact that tour guides and services are mostly controlled by the military government, boycott-supporters state that it is virtually impossible to travel to Burma without directly and indirectly supporting the non-democratic government, either financially or morally. The Burma UK Campaign not only has been able to decrease the number of British tour operators selling Myanmar, but it also condemned and enforced a ban on Lonely Planet, one of the world’s largest guide books publishers, after their Myanmar travel guide edition release.
However, not all the voices support the boycott: Derek Tonkin, a former British diplomat who runs his own web-based newsletter about Myanmar (Network Myanmar), argues that only a small part of the money collected from tourism goes to the pockets of the dictator militaires (the other part remaining to thousands of postcard sellers, taxi drivers, and other service providers) . He states that a mere US$ 198 million gross was generated by tourism in 2007, and that lately the Burmese industry has been privatized so tourism actually employs at least 300.000 local people, who together support families of more than 1,5 million people in the country (Buncombe, 2008).
The Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA) also supports travel to Myanmar, as they see tourism as an industry that directly benefits the people on the ground (Cochane, 2006). Other than that, it is also considered an efficient way to put Burmese people in contact with the outside world and also to make foreigners who visit the country aware of its real situation. Chayachoke Chulasiriwongs, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok who has been following the Myanmar situation for years, adds that the boycott to tourism itself has not worked so far. It seems that currently the generals remain isolated, but they also remain in power…
It must be considered that, despite the fact that Myanmar received only 248.076 tourists in 2007 (UNWTO, 2007), the tourism is growing fast in the biggest country of Southeast Asia and that requires a clear position: for or against its tourism industry.
But some questions remain unanswered: is it ethical to travel and/or sell holidays to Myanmar? Should the boycott to tourism in Myanmar be maintained to stop generating revenue and power to its military dictatorship? Or does tourism represent in fact the only source of income and information for some of the Burmese people? What about the small share of the Burmese population that depends on tourists to live?
References
- Buncombe, A. (2008) ‘Boycott Burma: to go or not to go?’, The Independent, 2 June [online] (cited 30 September 2009) Available from <URL:http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/boycott-burma-to-go-or-not-to-go-837207.html>
- Cochane, J. (2006) Ten years on, has Myanmar tourism boycott worked? [online] (cited 30 September 2009) Available from <URL:http://www.voicesforburma.org/archives/BurmaInNews/2006/Article11>
- UNWTO – World Tourism Organization (2008) Arrivals of non-resident tourists at national borders, by nationality – Myanmar [online] (cited 30 September 2009) Available from UNWTO E-library.
- Tourism Concern. A briefing by the Burma Campaign UK – Boycott Burma Holidays: How Tourism Benefits Burma’s Dictators [online] (cited 30 September 2009) Available from <URL:www.burmacampaign.org.uk>
- Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board [online] Available from <URL:http://www.myanmar-tourism.com>
Hey Julio,
While reading the arguments for and against travelling to Myanmar, I was missing some . On the one hand: What about the displacement of villages in order to serve the tourism industry and build roads, hotels or just create a beautiful landscape? What about forced labour in the name of tourism development? On the other hand: Why boycott the country again although former boycotts were unsuccessful and couldn’t influence the regime? Doesn’t a boycott give locals the feeling of being left alone instead of showing constant interest in their miserable situation and the willingness to support them? And these are not the only arguements that need to be taken into consideration in this dilemma.
But my final question, which position do you take??
I know it is a very difficult topic and I discussed all these arguements in a previous assignment for an Ethics module. One of my main conclusions: whatever position one takes it is important to raise awareness of the situation in Myanmar and seek ways to improve it, although it is doubtable if Western countries have to act as supervisors and morevoer if tourism is the right way. A lot to discuss…!
In the end, good choice for a topic and I hope more people join the discussion.
Kim Hueneke
(Student TDM Masterprogramme, NHTV)
Hey Kim,
I am glad about your comment. The forced labour used in the name of tourism development was mentioned on my article, but you are right – I didn’t mention the displacement of villages (though it’s stated in one of my source articles)and so many other negative things that I found while researching about the topic.
The great dilemma is: people against the boycott because it’s not working X people for the boycott because it’s virtually impossible to travel there without funding the military regime.
My position: I am against the boycott. I believe that even if there is no way of avoiding that your money for visa (for e.g.) goes to the wrong pocket, tourism still helps so many Burmese individuals and I do believe that the importance of bringing information from the outside world and being aware about the Burmese situation by visiting the country should not be disregarded. On a long-term, maybe that’s what will help to change the country’s political situation.
I chose the topic because the opposed opinions seem very balanced, and also due to the lack of official international policies about it. That raises another question: Myanmar (or Burma) is not the only country where tourism is developed and where there is none or little freedom of speech; where resorts lay side by side to a population which has no rights or live under dictatorships – some of these countries are very popular tourism destinations, but differently from Myanmar, general public opinion seem to ignore it. So I invite everyone to join this discussion and guess which country I am talked about. I am sure there will be more than one example.
Thank you for your comment,
Julio Benedetti
(Student TDM Masterprogramme, NHTV)
Hey Julio,
The title of your article is interesting and made me eager to read it. I think that the article is written very well, setting out different opinions. Your article relates to mine as development aid faces similar problems. Political problems and decisions on global level can cause enormous impacts on local level and it is debatable what the best measurements are in how to deal with this.
The statement of Kim (Doesn’t a boycott give locals the feeling of being left alone instead of showing constant interest in their miserable situation and the willingness to support them?) is a very interesting one. On the other hand, like it often said by tourists in Cuba’s case: ‘We still need to visit Cuba now, when democracy is in place, the destination will lose its traditional identity’. Myanmar is now visited by only few and when the country is opened up for tourism an increased demand can benefit the ‘wrong pockets’. Still opening up the destination might increase awareness of Myanmar’s situation which could lead to a stronger opinion and actions of political powers.
Besides arguing whether or not tourism should be developed, it would also be an interesting discussion if so, which type of, and how tourism should be developed. Van Egmond (teacher Sustainability at NHTV, ITMC course) argues that some forms of tourism are more successful in spreading the economic impacts than others. Your article can be linked to the ones regarding the measurements of successfulness of tourism I believe. In my opinion the successfulness of tourism development also concerns the level and spread of both benefits and impairment. I couldn’t choose a side because it is such a difficult situation, yet it is interesting to think about it and start a discussion.
Jorinda Ballering
(Student TDM Masterprogramme, NHTV)
Julio,
You have presented a very controversial tourism topic in an academic and above easy to read style. In my opinion, what counts for t tourism sector, is applicable as well in other economic sectors: as long as there is no level playing field in the market and business environment, any support to economic sectors de facto means strengthening the status quo, which in this case (cruel dictatorship) would be unacceptable. So indeed, I would support boycot actions and increased pressure to change these political structures. If the global tourism and hospitality sector would unite and decide not to invest nor profit from Myanmar as a destination, I firmly believe that more results can be achieved in terms of social changes.
Welcome to visit my beautiful country, i will take good care you here.
“Dagon Travel”
I was in Myanmar for the first time late last year and I am returning again to enjoy the pleasures this country’s offers.
One of those pleasures apart from natural beauty is the beauty of the people themselves.
The people of Myanmar are honest, kind and compassionate people who at the present time do not know the art of ripping tourists off…..for now!
So I return to enjoy while I can enjoy a morally unpolluted country.
In my view it is utterly contemptible that ASSK and other failures/states support sanctions and are against tourism.
It hurts the Junta not at all but hurts the people directly.
For those abusive stances–(since when has sanctions worked, if they did?, America would not have attacked Irag on the basis of fraud).
ASSK party he has not bothered to contest the elections/Partly her huge Ego, maybe partially stroked by her quite literally next door neighbors in University Avenue, a mere few doors down from her home, THE US EMBASSY.
Part the fear as I suspect she would be completely delegated to the dusts bins of history….over 20 years of doing nothing, more English than Burmese, but most important of all alienating a whole new younger generation in respect to supporting sanctions and anti tourism.
Tourists getting to know the local and influencing them is a double edged sword, the locals may well influence the tourists and tell them exactly what ASSK represents in Burma TODAY and it is unflattering.
The western press would disagree of course, but they have disagreed for over 20 years with no result either for the country.
I am fully aware of the privatization going on at the moment. For example, the privatization of hotels, lots of buyers Thai, Singaporean, Chinese, Vietnam, even India. Upset greatly the Americans/West the are not allowed to bid.
What this means is very simple, if you are Thai, Chinese, Singaporean, Malay or even Vietnamese corporate concerns and buys hotels, you are going to promote tourism into those hotels from your own country!! This means much much more Asian tourism
As I have noticed last year there were French, Russian, Swedish,Germans at the sea resort I stayed in, but correctly few English or Americans.
Simply put: if you believe all the propaganda about this country your corporate owned press deceitfully write about this country. Don’t come, your presence is not needed.
All the other tourists from the above mentioned country’s will enjoy, what you can’t!!
Further the infrastructure is not well developed enough for now to handle hordes of tourists.
To be perfectly frank, its a pleasure to hear French, Italian, German, and Russian spoken and not English…..it was a breath of fresh air!!
Hello topolcats,
Thank you for your message. It’s good to have so many different opinions and particularly interesting being from someone who has actually been there. I find very intriguing how views about tourism and politics get so mixed in this debate (for instance, your very clear position about ASSK). Since I wrote this article, I have come across many people who have been there or know about the theme. One of the common aspects that I noticed is that many people
seem to mix: ‘being for the tourism boycott due to the alleged support to the military junta’ and ‘being for tourism boycott because it keeps the ‘authenticity’ of Myanmar, not turning it into mass tourism destination’. I find the second view particularly sad, because it focus too much on the tourist point of view – it seems to turn the real problem into ‘how the tourist experience will be affected by tourism’, whereas the real problem – in my opinion – is whether the population will be affected positive or negatively by tourism. Lastly, I have to disagree with you last two paragraphs, because I would not judge whose presence is or not needed in Myanmar, especially if the criteria for it is based in nationality and spoken languages.
Thank you for your comment and let’s hope tourism in Myanmar takes the direction that best serves its people.
Julio
Hello Julio,
i am burmese girl form Myanmar and now I am studying Tourism Managemnent course at Swiss business school(Alpine college in Athens, greece) and I read all the opinion of the international tourists and researchers.
I wanna say one things that ,Myanmar people needs tourism, as every body know myanmar tourism is based on culture and natural beauty of people.
Under the military govenment , our people can’t breath well, the tourism is the only one solutions to resolve the problems of living, the young generation waiting the jobs in tourisms because we can’t go outside and work in other countries. so what job we can have, factory? we based on more agriculture …so agriculture? who controlled for export and inport, even we sell in the local market , who will buy…? people don’t have money to buy the seasonal fruits, they buy only very basically food , rice and vegetable… thats all…
and then what job.carrier we can choice after gratuated in Myanmar?
just take a tray of vegetables and sell over the quaters? so we studied for 14 years and finally what we can use ?? nothing with these situations?/
so how about tourism affects on myanmar pepple? from the porter to the tour agencies, we earn money and whom we support?/ we support each of our families? each of our sister or brother’s educaitons?
who think govenment care about the tourism decrease ? yes ,,,the tourism decresed will affects on govement slightly? Just he will drink the wiski instead of shampagne.. very slightly …. as look like throwing the feather on his face…thats all
so if the tourist don’t come in myanmar ,,what will happen our people… all young educated girls will apply the jobs of prostitude or house maid or babysister in thailand,, because Thai country offer the jobs generously only this position,..
young gratuated boys will apply the jobs in malaysia’s factory for eat and drink salary.
so ……please come in myanmar and visit in myanmar,,,please ,,,our people know very well the gratidude of the tourist arrivals and we will never treat badly…
so ,,please don’t think 1 dollars for wrong pocket, think about 10 dollars for right pockets and take your amazing trips in Myanmar…
I love myanmar people but this is not the reason ,,,the reason is myanmar people are deserve with Love….
thank u for reading ,,,tin nwe tun
Dear Tin Nwe Tun,
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad that you are from Myanmar itself so your opinion is of great value, as you add to my article a different point of view – of a Burmese national – that I could not access while researching this topic, having to limit myself to investigating scholars, professionals, journalists and NGOs. To be honest with you, I would love to visit your country and try to see and contribute by myself to the local residents. I hope tourism will sustain a fair development in Myanmar both in short as in long-terms. All the best and thanks once again for the comment.
PS: I’m curious how you reached this article… it’s nice to see this weblog is being accessed by different students.
Dear all and mingalaba Ma Tin Nwe Tun,
I’m active for an organiation called The Best Friend – founded by Buddhist monks in 1999 in Burma. Please read the opinions of a Buddhist monk in these links, about tourism to his country, Burma.
Warm wishes, Samarinde
http://www.thebestfriend.org/2010/05/08/more-tourists-like-garrett/
http://www.thebestfriend.org/2010/08/16/ashin-kovida/
Dear Samarinde,
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Best regards
Julio