2008

Recent Strife Raises Myanmar Travel Questions

Susan Hack reports on the effects that the September military crack down has had on tourism in Burma. January 2008, Conde Nast Traveller.

Come and laugh at us, plead Burma's people

Protest takes on many different forms and for the Moustache Brothers their medium is humour. Chris McGreal reports on this infamous group of Burmese activists who use humour to inform tourists about the brutal junta regime and the reality of life in Burma. They are calling for tourists to visit Burma as the toursim industry not only generates much needed attention to Burma but also provides many families with a means to feed their families. January 13, 2008, The Observer

Interview with Informed Tourism

An interview with a tourist recently returned from Burma who wanted to see life outside the Burmese military-driven tourist industries. They were shocked by the stark difference in livelihood between those who work for the military and regular citizens of Burma. This article found in The Irrawaddy on 7 Feb, 2008 provides an interesting insight into tourism in Burma.

Are sanctions the answer?

This article challenges the debate for sanctions in Burma saying that they have had a negative impact on the livelihood of the Burmese people. Stanley A. Weiss, International Herald Tribune, 8 February 2008

Crackdown fallout hits Myanmar tourism hard

Ed Cropley looks at the negative effect that the military crack down last September has had on tourism in Burma. He also discusses both sides of the tourism argument. Reuters, 14 March 2008

Should you go?

Should you go? This is the question faced by many travellers interested in visiting Burma. Louise Hodson tells the story of a group of Canadian professors, scholars and their families heading to Burma and seeing the reality for themselves. The article also provides practical advice for those considering travelling to Burma. The Gazette, March 20 2008

Crackdown Fallout Hits Burma Tourism Hard

Ed Cropley reports on the fallen tourism numbers after the military crackdown in September 2007 and the effect that this is having on Burmese citizens who make their living from tourism. The junta blames the decline in tourism on media images from the Internet claiming they were trying to ‘tarnish the image of Burma.’ Cropley covers the tourism debate looking at arguments of both sides of the debate. The Irrawaddy, 14 March 2008

What has happened to Myanmar's revolution?

An article from The Economist, April 12, 2008 discusses the Burma in the aftermath of the 2007 protests. Although all mass public actions have ceased, Monks and Burmese locals continue to protest in subtle ways. And while the Government is promising to hold a referendum in May, over a thousand monks remain locked up alongside policitcal protesters arrested after the protests.