Tourism can bring benefits to a community in a variety of different ways.  This is especially true in Burma where opportunities for economic stability and cultural exchange are severely limited.  However tourism in Burma has some inevitable negative impacts so visitors should be especially attentive of those and try to engage as much as possible in the activities that will promote the welfare of the local people.  Here are some ways in which tourism can benefit them:

Economic benefits

Supporting economic opportunities for the local people – and denying this support to the military regime – is important in when travelling in Burma.  This includes patronizing hotels, restaurants, bus companies, etc that are privately owned, and employing drivers and tour guides not associated with Myanmar Travel & Tours (MTT).  Visitors should also support local merchants by purchasing fruit from street vendors and locally-produced handicrafts and cd’s of Burmese music.  Not only do all of these activities tend to improve the overall welfare of locals, they are all generally associated with increased opportunities for women.

Increased awareness about Burma

A major contributor to Burma’s ongoing problems is its relative anonymity in the international community.  People who have visited a country in the past and who developed relationships with the local people are far more likely to pay attention to news about events that take place there than someone who can’t even locate Burma on a map.  Even friends and family of the tourist who will inevitably hear stories about the trip and see photos of the beautiful people and places, are likely to be far more receptive to Burma-related information than they otherwise would have.  The relatively light media coverage of major events in Burma in recent years is a result of the isolation they have endured for so long.

The junta savors being invisible to the outside world and always attempts to deflect media coverage of any major event as soon as possible so they can continue ruling as they please.  Foreign journalists are generally forbidden from entering the country and while some manage to get in and report, the popular press will only report on what people are interested in reading.

If a tourist wants to continue to benefit the people of Burma upon returning home, they can engage in campaign, spread awareness or otherwise support them in their struggle for freedom and democracy in any way possible.  This struggle will not be won by being silent and will depend on strong support from the international community.

Cultural and language exchange

While Burma has long been isolated from the outside world, many local people crave exposure to foreign ideas and cultures.  The strong majority of Burmese people will never be able to leave the country, so the only way they will have these cultural experiences is if people come to visit them and while they can learn about the outside world in books and on the internet, there is no substitute for personal interaction. 

 ^{Photo courtesy of www.tripfoto.com}

The same applies for tourists.  The most enjoyable part about a visit to Burma is getting to know some of its uncommonly friendly citizens and it’s the best way to get a feel for the culture and gain understanding of the Burmese way of life.  Cultural exchange can be a wonderful thing because both parties truly benefit in a meaningful way and can create memories that will last a lifetime.

Foreign tourists can also give locals who want to learn English a rare opportunity to practice their skills.  Studying English is very popular in Burma but quality language instruction is scarce and generally only available to the upper classes. 

^{Photo courtesy of www.tripfoto.com}

English, as the international language of science and business, is particularly popular in Burma as in most Asian countries, and English-speaking tourists can be useful to Burmese students wanting to practise their spoken skills.  Many people go on to use the English they learned from working as tour guides to help them with their studies and their careers.