Myanmar

Travelling to Myanmar presents an ethical decision - Should you go?

With a bustling modern city, emerging beach destinations and more temples than tourists, Myanmar's rich and thrilling culture - of dozens of languages and peoples - is naturally a drawcard. But going to Myanmar is more complicated than just buying a ticket.

Large anti-government demonstrations taking place throughout the country during September drew a violent response from authorities, with fatalities reported. The security situation remains uncertain, with several bomb explosions reported during January 2008 - all occurring in places frequented by the public. Travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution.

See what other travellers are saying about what's happening in the Thorn Tree Myanmar branch .

The decision whether or not to travel to Myanmar is best made after an appraisal of pros and cons.

Reasons Not to Go:

Aung San Suu Kyi has asked tourists not to; the government used forced labour to ready tourist-related sights and services; international tourism can be seen as a stamp of approval to the Myanmar government; the government forbids travel to many areas, particularly in areas inhabited by minority groups; it's impossible to visit without some money going to the military junta (roughly US$20.00 per visa, US$10.00 per departure fee and seven to 10% tax on purchases); and activists claim that tourism dollars fuel government repression directly.

Reasons to Go:

Tourism remains one of the few industries to which ordinary locals have access - in terms of income and communication; authors of subsequent Burma guides say that the vast majority of locals they speak to tell them they want travellers there; human-rights abuses are less likely to occur in areas where the international community is present; the government stopped forcing foreigners to change US$200.00 into government notes upon arrival; the majority of a careful independent traveller's expenses can go into the private sector; and keeping the people isolated from international witnesses to internal oppression may only cement the government's ability to rule.

If You Decide to Go:

In order to maximise the positive effects of a visit among the general populace, while minimising support of the government, follow these simple tactics: stay at private, locally owned hotels and guesthouses; avoid package tours connected with Myanmar Travel and Tours; avoid MTT-sponsored modes of transport, such as most Yangon-Mandalay Express trains, the MTT ferry between Mandalay and Bagan, and Myanmar Airways International (MAI) flights; buy handicrafts directly from the artisans, rather than from government shops; avoid patronising companies involved with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings (companies with solid links to the Tatmadaw or armed forces are often called Myawadi or Myawaddy); write to the Myanmar government and to the Myanmar embassy in your country expressing your views about the human-rights situation there.

For more information on responsible travel to Myanmar, see our FAQs here .