Things are steadily going worse in Burma.
Putao in the north, Kachin State, has
been removed from our program because there are Buddhist Bamar and
Christian Kachin fighting each other more intensely, the same with Mrauk
U in Rakhine State where Buddhists and Muslims are busy burning down
each others' houses. Issuing permits for Putao was stopped last week and
tourists and aid workers were asked to leave Sittwe and Mrauk U.
Several roads are no-go for foreigners, practically all border areas require a permit if it's possible at all to go there. Hotels with a license to accommodate foreigners are only in bigger cities. Home-stays are not allowed, although easing conditions to crater for tourists could help local economy in some areas like for example Bogalay which was badly hit by cyclone Nargis in 2008.
Prices in existing hotels are up, some are booked until March. With adding up closed areas, the tourists are channeled to the 'big four': Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake.
Our plan is still in force because there's a lot of beautiful places in Burma. I refuse to be channeled though.
Several roads are no-go for foreigners, practically all border areas require a permit if it's possible at all to go there. Hotels with a license to accommodate foreigners are only in bigger cities. Home-stays are not allowed, although easing conditions to crater for tourists could help local economy in some areas like for example Bogalay which was badly hit by cyclone Nargis in 2008.
Prices in existing hotels are up, some are booked until March. With adding up closed areas, the tourists are channeled to the 'big four': Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake.
Our plan is still in force because there's a lot of beautiful places in Burma. I refuse to be channeled though.
Add a comment