Tourism can undoubtedly contribute to economic development. In the case of Burma – now known as Myanmar – this has prompted a debate on whether tourists should visit the country or not, as a ruthless military dictatorship suppresses the population. The military-dominated regime first seized power in 1962 and later bloodily repressed a popular uprising in 1988. Nevertheless, the regime announced free elections to restore order. However when the main opposition party National League for Democracy won over 80 per cent of seats in 1990, the military prevented the democratically-elected parties from taking power.
Together with the Burmese opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, many NGOs urge the international community to boycott the country. They argue that revenue from tourism (for example, the mandatory purchase of Foreign Exchange Certificates worth US$ 200) supports the Government financially, and holidaying in the country could be interpreted as approval of the military regime. Furthermore, forced labor was used to build some of the tourist infrastructure and tourists are kept away from large parts of the country, where repression of minorities is occurring.
Others, among them many Burmese, argue that it is increasingly possible to use privately-owned lodging and transport facilities, benefiting the local people. Likewise, economic development could lead to a democratization of the country. Moreover, the presence of visitors limit the repression, as they function as international witnesses.
After winning the elections in 1990, the military rulers stopped the democratic parties from taking over the government. The MPs, with support from the Democratic Alliance of Burma, the National Democratic Front, and others, formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). The NCGUB has led the call for a tripartite dialogue between the ethnic nationalities, the NLD, and the military to resolve national problems.
This Thailand-based group collects facts and data on human right abuse and political prisoners in Burma and releases information about suppression of student activists. It cooperates with the underground movement in Burma as well as international human right groups.
This NGO from Bangkok focuses on the marginalized communities living in the war zones of Burma as the target group for building a peace based on justice for everyone. The approach is based on concepts of community organizing and empowerment.
This group documents the human rights situation of ordinary people in rural Burma. The group was formed to help villagers to get their story to the outside world by translating their accounts and testimonies into reports for worldwide distribution, accompanied by supporting photos and documentary evidence of the human rights situation. It distributes information in the form of detailed firsthand reports, photo sets, information updates, commentaries, and analytical reports.
This group aims to achieve the restoration of human rights and democracy in Burma through the discouragement of trade, investment and tourism, the raising of public awareness of issues relating to Burma, and international pressure on the UK government, the EU, the ASEAN and the UN.
The Nobel Peace Laureate Campaign for Aung San Suu Kyi and the People of Burma is a cooperative effort of individuals and organizations from throughout the world who believe in human rights and democracy and support the people of Burma. The campaign is chaired by Madeleine Albright, Desmond Tutu and others.
This project, established by the Open Society Institute, supports and administers efforts by and for grassroots organizations dedicated to the restoration and preservation of fundamental freedoms in Burma, education programs for Burmese students, and professional and vocational training for young Burmese abroad who plan eventually to return to live and work in a democratic Burma.
This campaign asks people to not visit Burma as long as the country is ruled by military dictatorship. Though some ordinary people might benefit from tourist money, the bulk of the foreign currency is helping fuel a regime that keeps 48 million oppressed and in poverty. Campaign calls for boycotting Lonely Planet as the publisher continues to publish guidebooks on Burma.
This personal account of a journey to Burma reveals how the tourist dollars end up in the hands of the dictatorial government, and human rights abuses are often part of the regime’s preparations for tourists. While some proponents of tourism advocate that conscientious visitors avoid military owned establishments, this is not easy to do. Many of the hotels and restaurants in Burma, both large and small, are owned directly by the government, or are joint ventures with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, a military holding company, or high-ranking military officers.
This articles argues that visiting Burma is not such a bad thing since it is possible to avoid government-owned hotels and tours. Using privately owned lodging and forms of transportation one makes a contribution to the well-being of the local population.
These Burmese peace activist argues that the approach of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has come at a high price for the Burmese people. The initiated boycott of the country has increased tensions with the government. More isolation will push the country backwards. The country needs the jobs and the modernization tourism generates. Instead of closing the doors, Burma should become a part of the world in order to develop a democratic system.
This briefing asks tourists to stay away from Burma as tourism provides the dictatorship with millions of dollars, while the development of tourism has escalated human rights abuses, particularly through the widespread and systematic use of forced labor. Only a very small percentage of ordinary people benefit from tourism.
