Myanmar: Is there a place for successful tourism development?
Author: Nina Pirogova
1 Commentries
Tourism appears as a very appealing development tool, for developing countries in particular. However, it may not be easy to develop tourism as this industry is vulnerable to internal and external shocks such as economic downturns, natural disasters, epidemic diseases as well as political instability within the country.
The aim of this paper is to investigate current barriers for tourism development in Myanmar with the main question being: will successful tourism development ever take place in the country? As this paper addresses barriers for tourism development that may act as factors that restrict tourists from travelling to Myanmar, therefore this paper falls into strand four - tourism denied: factors restricting holiday taking.
Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a developing nation in South East Asia that has been known worldwide for its political instability and human rights abuses. Once a British colony, after gaining independence a military regime has taken place ever since. The regime has implemented the "Burmese Way to Socialism" by nationalising all businesses, infrastructure and services that has resulted in extreme poverty, poor health and education, economic stagnation and instability and made Myanmar one of the most isolated countries in the world.
Tourism is the leading source of foreign investment in the country, and since 1992 the government has encouraged tourism. Myanmar has a lot to offer to its visitors, from pre-colonial and colonial architecture, and cultural festivals to natural scenic beauty. However, because of political instability, the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2008, and the global economic crisis in 2009 the number of arrivals has dropped from 716,000 visitors in 2007 to 636,000 visitors in 2009. In addition, the leader of the opposition party Aung San Suu Kyi has asked people not to come to Myanmar to prevent bringing economic benefits to the current regime.
Despite that it is believed that Myanmar has a great potential for tourism development with a possibility of increase in tourist arrivals by at least 400%. However, it will only be possible when the current government will be either replaced by a democratic movement, or will change its political stance.
There are a number of factors that may encourage or depress inbound tourism therefore tourism development itself. These factors include connectivity to generating markets, access to tourists' centres within the country; a plentiful supply of appealing attractions, accommodation and other amenities of a suitable standard as well as the support of tour operators and travel agents in generating markets is required. Further considerations include an incidence of natural disasters and outbreaks of disease and the ways these are managed. However, it is agreed that the very base is political conditions in the country. Perceptions of political stability and safety are a prerequisite for tourist visitation and even a slight threat may cause tourists to alter their travel behaviour. At the same time it is agreed that tourism exhibit a high degree of elasticity in relation to political events, and it should not be viewed only in a negative light; the industry seeks to establish (or re-establish) itself when situations are perceived to have improved.
In the last twenty years, the government of Myanmar repeatedly has shocked international public with its political actions and human rights violations, for example forcibly displacing local communities to make way for new tourism infrastructure or relocation of 'picturesque' ethnic groups to special villages where tourists can visit, in other words, zooification. However, since 2010 a series of political, economic and administrative reforms have been undertaken by the government towards more democratic nation such as first elections since 1990, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from the house arrest and permission of peaceful demonstrations. This resulted in increase of FDI, and ease or even suspension of most sanctions by US and European Union. The opposition party has also changed its mind regarding the tourism, and now welcomes responsible tourism.
Another factor is the extent to which tourists perceive a place to offer a high level of personal safety in terms of everyday health and wellbeing, which also include natural disasters and diseases. In 2008 Myanmar has experienced one of the deadliest cyclones, while major infectious diseases in Myanmar include malaria, tuberculosis and HIV; however in 2009 only 2% of GDP has been spent on health. Nevertheless, in the last couple of years Myanmar has been implementing Cooperation Strategy by World Health Organisation, the priorities of which are to improve health systems performance and reduce excess burdens of diseases.
Myanmar has had a bad reputation as a tourist destination due to political instability, however, with what it has to offer in terms of tourism products blended together with changes in politics and health services, Myanmar will be able to become a major tourist destination in South East Asia.
References
Henderson, J.C. (2011) Tourism Development and Politics in the Philippines. Turismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism [online] 6(2) pp.159-173 [Accessed 2 May 2012]. Available at: <http://www.chios.aegean.gr/tourism/VOLUME_6_No2_art09.pdf>.
Mintel (2010) Travel and Tourism: Myanmar [online] London: Mintel [Accessed 1 May 2012]. Available at: <http://academic.mintel.com/sinatra/oxygen_academic//display/&id=483141>.
Piekarz, M.J. (2008) Tourism in an Unstable and Complex World? Searching for a Relevant Political Risk Paradigm and Model For Tourism Organisations [online]. Ph.D. Thesis, Cranfield University. [Accessed 2 May 2012]. Available at: <https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/bitstream/1826/4018/1/PHD%2520M.Piekarz%25202009.pdf>.
The aim of this paper is to investigate current barriers for tourism development in Myanmar with the main question being: will successful tourism development ever take place in the country? As this paper addresses barriers for tourism development that may act as factors that restrict tourists from travelling to Myanmar, therefore this paper falls into strand four - tourism denied: factors restricting holiday taking.
Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a developing nation in South East Asia that has been known worldwide for its political instability and human rights abuses. Once a British colony, after gaining independence a military regime has taken place ever since. The regime has implemented the "Burmese Way to Socialism" by nationalising all businesses, infrastructure and services that has resulted in extreme poverty, poor health and education, economic stagnation and instability and made Myanmar one of the most isolated countries in the world.
Tourism is the leading source of foreign investment in the country, and since 1992 the government has encouraged tourism. Myanmar has a lot to offer to its visitors, from pre-colonial and colonial architecture, and cultural festivals to natural scenic beauty. However, because of political instability, the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis in 2008, and the global economic crisis in 2009 the number of arrivals has dropped from 716,000 visitors in 2007 to 636,000 visitors in 2009. In addition, the leader of the opposition party Aung San Suu Kyi has asked people not to come to Myanmar to prevent bringing economic benefits to the current regime.
Despite that it is believed that Myanmar has a great potential for tourism development with a possibility of increase in tourist arrivals by at least 400%. However, it will only be possible when the current government will be either replaced by a democratic movement, or will change its political stance.
There are a number of factors that may encourage or depress inbound tourism therefore tourism development itself. These factors include connectivity to generating markets, access to tourists' centres within the country; a plentiful supply of appealing attractions, accommodation and other amenities of a suitable standard as well as the support of tour operators and travel agents in generating markets is required. Further considerations include an incidence of natural disasters and outbreaks of disease and the ways these are managed. However, it is agreed that the very base is political conditions in the country. Perceptions of political stability and safety are a prerequisite for tourist visitation and even a slight threat may cause tourists to alter their travel behaviour. At the same time it is agreed that tourism exhibit a high degree of elasticity in relation to political events, and it should not be viewed only in a negative light; the industry seeks to establish (or re-establish) itself when situations are perceived to have improved.
In the last twenty years, the government of Myanmar repeatedly has shocked international public with its political actions and human rights violations, for example forcibly displacing local communities to make way for new tourism infrastructure or relocation of 'picturesque' ethnic groups to special villages where tourists can visit, in other words, zooification. However, since 2010 a series of political, economic and administrative reforms have been undertaken by the government towards more democratic nation such as first elections since 1990, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from the house arrest and permission of peaceful demonstrations. This resulted in increase of FDI, and ease or even suspension of most sanctions by US and European Union. The opposition party has also changed its mind regarding the tourism, and now welcomes responsible tourism.
Another factor is the extent to which tourists perceive a place to offer a high level of personal safety in terms of everyday health and wellbeing, which also include natural disasters and diseases. In 2008 Myanmar has experienced one of the deadliest cyclones, while major infectious diseases in Myanmar include malaria, tuberculosis and HIV; however in 2009 only 2% of GDP has been spent on health. Nevertheless, in the last couple of years Myanmar has been implementing Cooperation Strategy by World Health Organisation, the priorities of which are to improve health systems performance and reduce excess burdens of diseases.
Myanmar has had a bad reputation as a tourist destination due to political instability, however, with what it has to offer in terms of tourism products blended together with changes in politics and health services, Myanmar will be able to become a major tourist destination in South East Asia.
References
Henderson, J.C. (2011) Tourism Development and Politics in the Philippines. Turismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism [online] 6(2) pp.159-173 [Accessed 2 May 2012]. Available at: <http://www.chios.aegean.gr/tourism/VOLUME_6_No2_art09.pdf>.
Mintel (2010) Travel and Tourism: Myanmar [online] London: Mintel [Accessed 1 May 2012]. Available at: <http://academic.mintel.com/sinatra/oxygen_academic//display/&id=483141>.
Piekarz, M.J. (2008) Tourism in an Unstable and Complex World? Searching for a Relevant Political Risk Paradigm and Model For Tourism Organisations [online]. Ph.D. Thesis, Cranfield University. [Accessed 2 May 2012]. Available at: <https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/bitstream/1826/4018/1/PHD%2520M.Piekarz%25202009.pdf>.