lonely-planet-myanmar-burma-11-edition

22TO GO OR NOT TO GO?PLAN YOUR TRIP RESPONSIBLE TRAVELThe Pros» When researching this book, we found that the vast majority of locals – includingdemocracy supporters – welcomed visitors.» Tourism creates badly needed jobs in a country with a per capita income of$435.» A savvy independent traveller should be able to ensure that the majority of his orher travel dollars go to the private sector and not to the government (p 24 ).» Through ‘direct aid’ efforts (p 25 ), visitors can help improve living conditions for alocal community.» Tourism facilitates contact between Myanmar’s locals and the outside world: localssee that they’re not forgotten and visitors take away images and stories to share withfriends and relatives at home, which helps people stay informed about what is goingon inside this traditionally closed nation.The Cons» It’s impossible to visit without some money going to the government.» International tourists can be seen as a symbolic stamp of approval for the government,whose human rights abuses and corruption are well documented and continuing;there are over 2000 political prisoners, for example.Avoid PackageTours‘We want people to come to Burma, notto help the junta, but to help the peopleby understanding the situation: political,economic, moral – everything. Tohave a very big cruise ship with hundredsof tourists coming in – that’s alot of money for the regime, and so wedon’t like such big business.’U Win Tin, NLD leader and formerpolitical prisonerThis guidebook is geared for independenttravellers, rather than those on group tours.You not only get more out of a trip travellingindependently and meeting locals, butalso you have more control over where yourmoney goes.Many locals who support tourism favourindividual travellers over package tourists;this is the approach encouraged by AungSan Suu Kyi and the National League forDemocracy (NLD).Generally, the more luxurious the tour thegreater the chance that a large percentageof its cost is going to businesses with stronglinks to the government. And in many cases,travellers pay for tours before they arrive inMyanmar, which means less of their moneyfinds its way into the pockets of ordinary citizens.Tours also tend to provide less interactionwith locals while you’re in the country.For tips and advice on arranging your owntour, including securing permits and decidingwhere to stay and what modes of transportto use, see p 27 . If you prefer workingwith tour agents in your own country or inMynamar, ask them the following questions:» Who are your owners and do they have any linksto the government?» What are your policies with regard to using theservices of government or government-linkedbusinesses?» Do you have any charitable programs in place toassist local communities and/or individuals?» Can I contribute directly to a clinic, school ororphanage as part of a trip (always do this inperson)?» Can I hire different guides at each destinationrather than travel with one guide for the whole trip?Choose Goods &Services CarefullyResponsible visitors to Myanmar try to minimisethe amount of money they spend ongovernment owned, or government-friendlybusiness and services. However, disentan-