Where is the Threat to Peace? Nowhere in Myanmar is the Response!

What is this ‘Threat to the Peace: A call for the UN Security Council to act in Burma?’ Nothing but false allegations by Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu.

Myanmar is a Golden Land with diverse tourist destinations; having safety and security; hospitality and serenity. In fact a significant growth in international tourist arrivals has been recorded over the past thirteen years which resulted from the Government’s new liberalized policies and the public — private partnership for promotion and marketing for systematic tourism development.

This new era for the development of tourism industry in Myanmar was born with the passing of Myanmar Tourism Law in June 1990, which ended almost 30 years of state monopoly of tourism industry in Myanmar. With the formation of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in 1992, there developed a greater sense of national unity through the redistribution of tourism returns covering border and remote areas; fostering of international understanding and cultural exchange; generation of foreign exchange earnings; creating employment opportunities and building basic infrastructure; promotion and preservation of places of historical and religious importance. All these objectives are to keep the pace of development of infrastructure in balance with the development of infrastructure and the country’s economic and social capability of absorbing tourism growth.

Looking back, we can compare 42,000 tourist arrivals prior to 1988, with the current figures which shows a steady growth. During 2004, there were nearly 900,000 arrivals and during the nine months of 2005, the number has exceeded 400,000 arrivals coming in through the international gateways (Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan) and through the international border checkpoints along Myanmar — China and Myanmar — Thailand. These figures are indications of steady increases in tourist arrivals in Myanmar during 2004-2005. “Seeing is Believing” is evident for tourists and business travellers visiting Myanmar despite the external pressure.

In fact, Myanmar is frequented by source markets from both Eastern and Western Hemispheres throughout the three seasons. The economic downturn, the impacts of natural disasters and diseases within the region and outside; the impact of wars in the Middle East and other global catastrophes have only been mildly felt by tourism to Myanmar.

Full encouragement has always been given by the government to the private sector with the issue of licenses to operate travels and tour companies. hotels, motels, guest houses and inns, tourist transport services and to serve as tour guides.

The number of travel agencies is now recorded at 619 and in addition to the 27 international standard hotels with 100% foreign investment, there are nearly 600 local investment hotels, motels and inns operational in all parts of the country. The Tourism Industry is further supported by the hospitable services of the 6414 Myanmar national tour guides and 434 transportation vehicles and 50 yachts.

The tourism earnings are, nevertheless, benefited as a multiplier effect by the Myanmar populace.

Where is this “Threat to Peace in Myanniar” as wrongly alleged?

Author : Homely Traveller