Myanmar: Surprise, surprise!
(eTN ) - During last week’s ASEAN Travel Forum (ATF), the biggest surprise came probably from Myanmar. Following the government’s brutal repression to peacefully demonstrating citizens and monks last September, tourism was expected to collapse with no hope for a quick turn-around. Not so, according to new numbers.
If November and December saw indeed a collapse mostly from European markets, it seems that the country is already on the path to recovery. According to U Htay Aung, director general at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar, tourist arrivals improved rapidly. “Prior to September, we were recording a growth of 25 percent in international arrivals. We finally ended the year 2007 with an increase of 13.5 percent,” he explained during a press conference. For 2008, a budget of US$780,000 has been approved by the government for the country’s promotion.
2007 tourist season was saved only by the growth in “border tourism,” up by 28 percent with 468,000 travellers. Mainly Chinese and Thais cross the border to Myanmar for shopping and to gamble in nearby casinos. By contrast, arrivals at Yangon International Airport declined by 5.85 percent, reflecting overseas travellers cautious attitude following September crackdown.
But, business is back. Prices for hotels were lowered and some 100,000 special packages put on the market in a bid to encourage travellers.
“We now see that many Europeans only postponed their trip last September. In fact, demand from France and Germany picks up again. I personally believe that many realized that by not coming back, they first hurt local people, who now struggle to survive,” described Pyai Phyo Tun, assistant general manager of Treasure Travel & Tours.
Airlines start in fact to put flights back in service. Thai Airways will increase again its presence, according to Pruet Boobphakam, director for the airline’s Southeast Asia division. Aung added that Emirates is studying an eventual landing in Yangon from Dubai. Air Bagan continues to fly to Bangkok with a Fokker 100 but could quickly put on the line its Airbus A310. However, Air Bagan’s suspension of flights to Singapore is unlikely to resume any time soon.
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Comments
The actual drop in tourist arrivals to Myanmar post-September-troubles was much deeper than the DG would have you believe. Most travel agents and hotels reported 80 - 95% cancellations in October. On many days in October last year, tourist arrivals in Bagan, a major tourist destination in central Myanmar, was less than 10 people. The figures are deceptive. The first three quarters of 2007 enjoyed a 25% + increase in arrivals over 2006; that gain in arrival figures easily made up for the deep dive in October and November; that is why the year still ended up with 13% increase over 2006. The Ministry of Hotel and Tourism wish to paint a better picture than the reality. The arrivals at present (Feb 2008) are still 50% less than the same month last year. The local people really suffered because the tourists stayed away. The government is not in any way affected because tourism is not where the government is making their FE; it's gas. It's the French and the Americans who are providing Myanmar Government with their major income. Interesting, isn't it?
I haven't been keeping track of this, but this seems like
a certain sign of realization that boycotts do more harm
than good in places where there are repressive regimes.
The real victims of boycotts are often the small businesses
that thrive on the tourist trade, not the government. For
the government it can just mean a little less money; for
people relying on income from the monies visitors spend,
there being no visitors can have devastating results.
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