Burma's political
reforms have drawn international attention and sparked a boom in its still
fledging tourism industry.
Hotels and tour operators are scrambling to meet the growing demand
from visitors eager to witness a country in the midst of transformation.
This week in Rangoon 20 contestants competed for the title of Miss
Tourism Myanmar 2012, a beauty pageant organized by the tourism board to appeal
to foreign visitors.
Tourism Board Secretary Kyaw Htun says Aung San Suu Kyi's endorsement
of "responsible tourism" last year has been a vital boost in Burma,
also known as Burma.
"Before 2010 the Lady [Suu Kyi] didn't support visitors to come to
Myanmar, but after 2010 she was encouraging visitors to come see Myanmar,"
noted Htun.
Since Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest in 2010, tourism has
more than doubled, and is projected to keep increasing at a rate of 30 percent
per year.
Burma's political isolation has long kept it off the typical itinerary
of holiday travelers. Now, it is that isolation and ongoing political reforms
that are drawing newcomers -– some of whom are still anxious about visiting.
"The reason I'm here in Myanmar, I'm interested in the political
situation," said Mari Nakogawa, a tourist from Japan. "Like Aung San Suu Kyi, I cannot say it
here, it's kind of scary. Most of Japanese newspapers say Myanmar is
dangerous."
Hotels in Burma are now booked several months in advance, doubling room
prices in some cases.
But it's not only tourists who are eager to visit. Alex Ruther is the
manager of the upscale Savoy Hotel.
"Because the country's opening up, the foreign investment laws are
changing as well, so a lot of foreigners can come in and invest. Foreign
companies [are] coming in so it definitely puts the country on the global
map," said Ruther.
For Burma's visitors, such as these visiting the famed Shwedagon
Pagoda, both the old attractions and the new changes are an enticing draw.
Danielle Bernstein
mizzima.com
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programmes. Many thanks for visiting www.yourvietnamexpert.com and/or contacting us at contact@yourvietnamexpert.com
No comments:
Post a Comment