Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Buy handicrafts directly from the artisans as you travel around the country, or if you're
spending most of your time in the same location, don't get all your souvenirs from one
private shop.
Interact, But Don't Endanger
One way you can positively help people is to talk and talk and talk, and make new
friends. Many locals cherish outside contact because they have so little. The two-way ex-
change that comes from it is reassurance for them that Myanmar is part of the world and
not forgotten.
This said, bear in mind that people who campaign against the authorities are still being
arrested and imprisoned in Myanmar. Ensure you don't behave in a way that will get loc-
als into trouble. Some things to keep in mind:
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Don't raise political questions and issues in inappropriate situations; allow the local to
direct the conversation.
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Show equal caution regarding what you ask or say on the phone or via email.
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Be wary of places that treat minority groups as 'attractions'.
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Think very carefully before accusing anyone of cheating you or of theft. Innocent people
can suffer greatly by implication. For example, a bus driver can end up in very hot water if
you report your camera stolen during a bus ride.
THE PERILS OF MASS TOURISM
Since 2010 the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other groups campaign-
ing for democracy and civil rights in Myanmar have dropped their boycott to tour-
ism. The NLD now 'welcome visitors who are keen to promote the welfare of the
common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight
into the cultural, political and social life of the country'. At the same time it recog-
nises the perils of mass tourism, and urges the government and businesses to
avoid further damaging the environment in the process of developing tourism in-
frastructure.
Author, historian and chairman of Yangon Heritage Trust, Thant Myint-U told us
'Now that tourism is beginning to take off and seems set to grow significantly over
the coming years, I think we need to also have a serious public discussion about
both the potential dangers as well as the benefits of mass tourism, learning les-
sons from the experience of nearby countries, and looking at concrete options for
how tourism might best be managed.'
