As Defiant Monks Protest In Burma, Travel Debate Rages On

[Mid]

As Defiant Monks Protest in Burma, Travel Debate Rages On

9.25.07

worldhum.com

As thousands of defiant Buddhist monks rally for democracy in Burma (or Myanmar) despite of warnings of a military crackdown, travelers watching in awe from afar continue to debate the ethics of visiting the country.

Arthur Frommer yesterday denounced tour operators who continue to lead groups into Burma and called on all travelers to boycott the nation.

“Shockingly enough, several major U.S. tour operators continue to operate trips to Myanmar, despite pleas not to do so by the country’s democratically-elected leader, the Nobel-prize-winning Aung San Suu Kyi,” he wrote.

“On occasion after occasion, Mrs. Kyi has emphatically stated that such visits simply support the brutal, thuggish military junta that now rules Myanmar.”

As the BBC has pointed out, Aung San Suu Kyi once told reporters: “Tourism to Burma is helping to prolong the life of one of the most brutal and destructive regimes in the world. Visiting now is tantamount to condoning the regime.”

snip

worldhum.com

[londonthai]

yes, I would boycott travelling to burma untill the military junta leaves. There are enough other countries in the region worth visiting and worth my money to support the local population

[cdnvic]

On the other hand, much of the info, photos and footage getting out of Burma is coming from travellers who are also witness to what's really happening.

[chavy]

On the other hand, much of the info, photos and footage getting out of Burma is coming from travellers who are also witness to what's really happening.

Spot on vic, without these people we'd never know what's going on inside

[samtam]

With the current situation anyone would be courting extreme danger if they attempted to enter Burma for tourist purposes. However, in calmer times whether visiting the country helps the regime or the local population is a moot point. As cdnvic says, outsiders can bring news and experience of the country. Visitors also spend money, which benefits both the regime, but also locals. It's the same issue with sanctions on a country - who suffers more? The investment by China and India in Burma benefits the regime much more than a trickle of tourists. Whether these giants can see beyond their own commercial and geopolitical interests is another matter. The world's superpower uses its own influence in these ways, and more agressively, to further its own interests..

[LeungKen]

It would still be interesting to see how much income is derived just from visa extension travellers makes for the regime in Burma and whether a boycott would make a difference - at US$10 a go it must be a sizeble earner !!

[asiaworld]

<deleted> is wrong with Myanmar , i can't get it . period. CAN"T get it .. Now it is in the same exact position as Thailand .

Junta booted the democracy, & so WHAT .. Singapore & Hong Kong NEVER HAD democracy to start with, & still are on the top of the world, & engage in mutual arse licking with the west regularly !! Thais told euro observers(who wanted to monitor elections) to <deleted> off, and they obliged ! If sanctions were lifted, & investment allowed, Myanmar would overtake Thailand in No time, former UK colony, multiracial society , more educated population.. So WHY did it became the scapegoat ?!? Yes the generals are repressive, but look if the world community would corner Thailand in the same way, thais would take revenge on their own population in no time also .. And than just wait and see .. So why would you want to boycot Myanmar, instead of bringin it back into the world community & letting it develop ?!?