Archive for January, 2012
National Pricing Revisions to Change Burma Travel – Industry-wide
Australia’s leading Asia travel specialist, Travel Indochina, is urgently advising agents that due to the unprecedented high tourism demand for Burma which far exceeds supply and availability, tourism product pricing structures for hotels and transport providers within Burma are being officially revised. Rates beyond March 31st 2012 are subject to change industry-wide, and the resultant [...]
Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army(SSPP/SSA) Signs Ceasefire
A ceasefire agreement containing 5 basic principles was signed between the Union level Peace Making Committee led by U Aung Thaung, member for Taungtha Township constituency of the Pyithu Hlutttaw and Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army(SSPP/SSA) led by Central Committee member Sao Khay Tai at a ceremony held at Taunggyi on January 29, 2012. [...]
Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Works On Star Ratings For Hotels In Myanmar
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is introducing a star rating system at hotels across the country, a ministry spokesperson said. The one to three star system is designed to “improve and maintain the service at hotels” targeting mostly foreign visitors, the spokesperson said. “As the number of tourists visiting Myanmar is increasing, we need [...]
Enthusiastic Crowds Welcome Daw Aung San Su Kyi In Dawei
National League For Democracy(NLD) Chairman Daw Aung San Su Kyi, flew to Dawei yesterday(January 29) on her maiden campaign trip on the eve of the upcoming by-elections slated for April 1, 2012. She was met with enthusiastic crowds who lined her route into town from the airport and hear her speech.People also greeted enthusiastically her [...]
Thousands greet Suu Kyi on Burma campaign trail
Huge crowds lined the streets to greet Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she hit the campaign trail Sunday ahead of by-elections seen as a key test of the regime’s commitment to reform. Thousands flocked to hear the Nobel Peace Prize winner speak in the coastal district of Dawei, as she made her [...]
PATA: Asia-Pacific tourism poised to record 6 percent growth for 2011
BANGKOK, Thailand – Preliminary results released today by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show a collective increase of 6 percent year-on-year for international arrivals into Asia/Pacific destinations during each of the months of October and November 2011. For the first 11 months of the year, South Asia was the star growth performer, followed by [...]
Myanmar shift to democracy not over, more reform ahead: minister
(Reuters) – Myanmar has already done a lot to reconnect with the international community and win investment, but the return to democracy is not complete and more political and economic reforms are needed, its trade minister said on Saturday. The southeast Asian nation has opened up to the outside world with astonishing speed since a [...]
Koreans Love Phuket, Russians Love Thailand; Top Brands Eye Burma; Phuket Events
PhuketWatch Daily Media Wrap PHUKET: A daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. english.chosun.com Koreans’ most preferred honeymoon destination was Phuket in Thailand last year. According to Hana Tour 23.9 percent of newlyweds chose Phuket, followed by the Philippines (16.4 percent), Hawaii (7.4 percent), Bali [...]
Exotissimo Travel Launches Walking Tour of Kyoto Designed By Lonely Planet Writer Chris Rowthorn
Embark on a revealing walking tour of Kyoto led by Lonely Planet writer Chris Rowthorn’s team of personally trained guides. The tour named ‘Kyoto Walking Tour’ provides in-depth exploration of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountain) district and enters into areas off the tourist trail. Exotissimo Travel, one of the longest established inbound tour operators in Indochina, [...]
The gold standard
Burmese days … some of the thousands of temples at Bagan. Photo: iStock From stupendous stupas to floating villages, Max Anderson embarks on a full-immersion introduction to Burma. The B600 is a locally made car of astonishing awfulness, a tiny utility vehicle with plastic sun chairs for front seats. I watch one laden with six [...]
UPDATE 2-As Myanmar opens, hoteliers see prospects
* Western chains see potential as Myanmar comes in from cold * Tourists arrivals surge but accommodation scarce * Thai hotel chains wary of Myanmar investment risks By Paritosh Bansal and Ploy Ten Kate DAVOS/BANGKOK, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Travellers hoping to catch a glimpse of the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda or hear the “tinkly temple-bells” [...]
Overseas Karen warily eye Myanmar changes
From a small community radio station in Melbourne, Australia, a group of passionate Karen refugees broadcast a weekly news program in their native language that beams into the homes of fellow Karen. News of change from their homeland, Myanmar – Burma to this ethnic minority – has dominated discussion between presenters in recent months and [...]
WTTC’s Tourism Awards Showcase Initiatives Leading The World In Sustainability
WTTC’s Tourism Awards Showcase Initiatives Leading The World In Sustainability The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) just unveiled the twelve finalists for its 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards . The awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across [...]
Myanmar Airways Cashes in on Regional Routes
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) is profiting from the rise in international arrivals through its home base at Yangon International Airport, AlternativeAirlines.com reported. Myanmar is also likely to benefit from flights in the active Greater Mekong Sub-region. MAI currently operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft including four Airbus A320s and one Airbus A321. International destinations served [...]
ATF 2012 Boasts a Full House
More than 1,400 delegates descended on Manado, North Sulawesi on 10-15 January to participate in the 31st ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which featured the ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), 35th ASEAN National Tourism Organization (NTO) Meeting, and Ministerial Meeting. The annual ATF is a cooperative regional effort aimed at promoting member countries of [...]
Experts Sound Warnings over Myanmar’s Tourism Growth
As Myanmar’s tourism arrival numbers continue to grow, the industry’s stakeholders are warning that the government must ensure the expansion does not have a negative impact on the country’s culture and natural environment. This was a hot topic among those attending the Travel Leaders’ Symposium on Sustainable Tourism held in Bagan late last year, with [...]
Norway Lifts Sanctions Regarding Investments and Tourism Against Myanmar
The visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister H.E Jonas Gehr Store announced at the press conference on January 26 held at Traders’ Hotel in Yangon that Norway had lifted its sanctions on investments and tourism and that it will depend on the individual companies to decide whether they wish to invest in Myanmar. He also said that [...]
EU mulling 150-mln-euro aid package for Myanmar
BRUSSELS — The European Union is mulling a 150-million-euro aid package to help Myanmar’s new army-backed government continue on the path of reforms, EU diplomats said Wednesday. A possible package, focused on health, education, agriculture and institutional capacity-building, was discussed by EU foreign ministers at talks in Brussels on Monday, said a source close to [...]
As Myanmar opens, hoteliers see prospects
(Reuters) – Travelers hoping to glimpse the golden pagoda of Rangoon or hear the “tinkly temple-bells” of Kipling’s Road to Mandalay may soon be able to book into a Westin or a Marriott, thanks to Myanmar’s re-emergence from political isolation. Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT.N) – which runs chains such as Westin, Sheraton and W [...]
Mull Over Limousine Hire Canberra
Limousine is a luxurious car model which is widely used for cultural events and ceremonies across the world. Limousine is a luxurious car model which is widely used for cultural events and ceremonies across the world. It is a very durable car model as it has gigantic body structure and lustrous windshields. The auto glass [...]
EU to lift Myanmar visa bans
(CNN) — European foreign ministers stated Monday that they would loosen travel restrictions over senior members of the Myanmar government in recognition of the Southeast Asian country’s now efforts at political reform afterwards decades of military rule. Describing the Myanmar government’s program of changes as “remarkable,” the foreign ministers stated they had determined to suspend [...]
A ‘Millionaires’ Tour Of Myanmar? Yours For $8,500
Everyone is jumping onto Myanmar/Burma bandwagon, and tourism is no exception. Decades of isolation and consumers boycotts have kept tourist arrivals to a bare minimum, so now the rush is on to sell Myanmar as an exciting new destination. It’s definitely off the beaten track as far as Southeast Asian tourism goes. Last year 400,000 [...]
No school, no travel for Myanmar’s blacklisted Rohingya kids –report
Rohingyas carry water from a pond near a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, August 19, 2011. REUTERS/Andrew Biraj/ BANGKOK (AlertNet) – More than 40,000 Rohingya children in western Myanmar have been deprived of rights to travel, go to school or to marry in future, because their parents had an unauthorised marriage or exceeded a two-child [...]
The contrast between gold and drugs in Myanmar
Shedagon Pagoda in Yangon. (Mainichi) Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, has attracted many people over the years to admire its beauty. More than three metric tons of gilts and gold plates are attached to the surface of the 99-meter-high structure. They are far heavier than those attached to Kinkakuji Temple in [...]
The New York Times recommends Cuba among the top ten tourist destinations to visit in 2012
The New York Times published a list of 45 destinations worldwide as recommending places to visit in 2012, and at No. 10 is Havana, Cuba. To make the list the prestigious publication valued in particular cultural offerings and tourist services. The Cuban capital is once more available to Americans. All that stands between the Americans [...]
Things To Do And Places To Stay When You Travel To Ecuador
Ecuador travel enthusiasts and brand new visitors to the country alike can experience the beauty and wonder of the country. Consider these places to stay and things to do while in Ecuador. Visitors who travel to Ecuador have a number of amazing things to do. From outdoor activities, to staying in a luxury hotel, Ecuador [...]
A Little Update…Into Burma and Happily Out of Connectedness
A quick update today, in just a few short hours Ana and I hop on a super short plane ride into Burma. Which is also called Myanmar nearly interchangeably, so you can call it either…though if you want to be all official, the country’s government refers to itself as: Republic of the Union of Myanmar. [...]
Travel with Safety and Style with Rimowa luggage
Rimowa luggage is a time-tested company name in luggage-ware given, ever since it was released more than a century ago, in Malaysia. The company produces a wide range of luggage items such as briefcases, carry-on, Suitcase, Wheel luggage, Trolley IATA and other Rimowa luggage. Rimowa’s luggage selection successfully mixes the old developing methods with contemporary [...]
Migration in 2012: challenging ingrained impunity
At cabinet meetings during Thailand’s floods, migration was absent from the political agenda. No specific response was apparently required. Officials reported no “host agency” and neither the Labour, Interior nor Foreign ministries assumed direct responsibility. Law enforcement agencies monitor migrants closely and surely knew how the floods impacted on them, however. Thai monks distribute relief [...]
Coastguards detain 33 bound for Malaysia
Chittagong, Jan 20 (bdnews24.com)—Coastguards at Teknaf’s Shahpari Island have detained 33 people, including 27 citizens of Myanmar, who were on their way to Malaysia without any valid travel document. A patrol of Shahpari contingent detained the illegal travellers following a tip-off on Thursday, Coastguard’s Chittagong zone information officer Lieutenant Commander Mohammad Shariful Haque Khan said. [...]
MYANMAR TOURS PROMOTES TOURS FOR WATER FESTIVAL IN MYANMAR
Myanmar Tours ( www.myanmartours.asia) has launched a new tour to promote Water Festival in Myanmar which takes place from 13 to 16th April 2012 adding to its collection of classic tours in Myanmar. (TRAVPR.COM) MYANMAR – January 20th, 2012 – Myanmar Tours ( www.myanmartours.asia) has launched a new tour to promote Water Festival in Myanmar [...]
Fortune-tellers believed to be behind mysterious relocation of Myanmar’s capital
The majestic parliament building in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Myanmar, is pictured on July 26, 2011. The wide road in front of the building has as many as 18 lanes — nine inbound lanes and nine outbound lanes. (Mainichi) Myanmar, under military rule for many years, is an intriguing country. It is little known [...]
Country over family
The scriptwriter of ‘The Lady’ tells the incredible story of Aung San Suu Kyi, Michael Aris and Burma she uncovered By Rebecca Frayn -The Telegraph Group Ltd, London 2012 Published: 00:00 January 20, 2012 When I began to research a screenplay about Aung San Suu Kyi four years ago, I wasn’t expecting to uncover one [...]
EU agrees to begin lifting sanctions against Myanmar
BRUSSELS: EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to begin easing sanctions against Myanmar to encourage reform but will await further positive signals before calling an end to restrictive measures, diplomats said. “We will begin by suspending some visa bans as a first stage from today,” said a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity as EU foreign [...]
US Senate Delegation In Myanmar
Visiting US Senator has invited a delegation of Myanmar Parliamentarians to visit the US Congress according to news reports coming out of Myanmar. This was revealed by Speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw(Lower House) Thura U Shwe Mann today(January 22), when he replied to questions by news reporters after meeting with the visiting delegation of US [...]
Ms Eizabeth Graham Weymouth, Senior Associate Editor of The Washington Post, Interviews President U Thein Sein
Myanmar official news media(both Myanmar and English)today carried a full report of President U Thein Sein’s interview with Ms Eizabeth Graham Weymouth, Senior Associate Editor of The Washington Post at his office in Naypyitaw, on January 17, 2012. Also present at the interview together with the President were Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna [...]
Union level peace-making group meets representatives of KIO
Union level Peacemaking Group led by Lower House member U Aung Thaung and Kachin Independence Organization(KIO) delegation led by U Swam Kuk Gam met at Ruili in China on January 18 and 19 and issued a statement for holding the continuous meeting through political means to realize the eternal peace and to prevent military escalation. [...]
Bangladesh army ‘foils coup’ against Sheikh Hasina
The Bangladesh army says it has foiled a coup planned against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Military spokesman Masud Razzaq said in a statement that the attempt had been thwarted by the “whole-hearted efforts of army soldiers”. He said the officers planning the coup were in active military service and had “extreme religious [...]
Myanmar eVisa testing
New web sites for eVisa is testing on 2 web sites as per MRTV – 4 news. Although the sites are tested to be non-existence, here are the names www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm and www.myanmarevisa.org.mm. Although it is said to be at the testing stage, no room allocation is acquired at the Immigration Ministry and ADSL lines are [...]
Tourist arrivals to Burma up more than 21%
Yangon – The number of foreign visitors passing through Yangon International Airport rose by 21.8 per cent last year to nearly 360,000, reports said Sunday. More than two-thirds were from Asian countries, led by Thailand with 59,010 visitors, followed by China with 32,757, the Myanmar Times reported. Europeans accounted for 65,367 travellers, led by France [...]
Top and Classic Honeymoon Destinations in India
Honeymoon celebration in India is all about enjoying the time in the solitude ambiance making priceless memories to take back home to relish in for lifelong. Here are some of the classic honeymoon destinations where couples can enjoy honeymoon holidays with immense pleasure and joy. Are you newly married and want to go for honeymoon [...]
Union level peace-making group meets representatives of KIO
Union level Peacemaking Group led by Lower House member U Aung Thaung and Kachin Independence Organization(KIO) delegation led by U Swam Kuk Gam met at Ruili in China on January 18 and 19 and issued a statement for holding the continuous meeting through political means to realize the eternal peace and to prevent military escalation. [...]
Bangladesh army ‘foils coup’ against Sheikh Hasina
The Bangladesh army says it has foiled a coup planned against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Military spokesman Masud Razzaq said in a statement that the attempt had been thwarted by the “whole-hearted efforts of army soldiers”. He said the officers planning the coup were in active military service and had “extreme religious [...]
Shark fin soup off the menu
A Chinese hotel group is aiding efforts to conserve dwindling shark stocks with its announcement that it will no longer serve shark fin soup in its establishments. Shark Shangri-La Shark fin soup is a delicacy in China, fetching anywhere between £48 and £100 per bowl depending on the species in question. This traditional dish comes [...]
ASEAN tourism forum highlights region’s push for further integration
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations yesterday concluded its annual Tourism Forum in Manado, Indonesia, furthering plans to facilitate intra-regional travel for both ASEAN nationals and foreign tourists, officials said. Promoting the theme “ASEAN Tourism for a Global Community of Nations”, the forum was held between January 8-15 and provided “a great platform for tourism [...]
Air Asia X To Fly KL-Sydney Route From 2012 April
Malaysia based Air Asia X is poised to begin its KL-Sydney direct fights from April 2012 according to its CEO Azran Osman Rani. He also revealed that the planned route to Adelaide however would start by 2013 only. According to Mr. Rani KL-Sydney one way ticket would be Malaysian Rinngit 199 and the Sydney-KL return [...]
Australian Parliamentary Delegation In Myanmar
Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U Nanda Kyaw Swa received a delegation led by member of the House of Representatives of Australia Ms Janelle Saffin at the room-1 of the Hluttaw Building Meeting Hall here at 1 pm today.Also present at the call together with the Deputy Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw were chairmen of Pyithu [...]
EU mulls lifting sanctions against Myanmar in February
BRUSSELS: The European Union is mulling whether to begin lifting sanctions against Myanmar as soon as February to encourage signs of reform after decades of outright military rule, EU diplomats said on Wednesday. Aid for the southeast Asian nation is also under consideration, as well as a visit soon by EU foreign policy chief Catherine [...]
Burma tourism ready to takeoff?
(Mizzima) – French, German and British tourist were the most frequent Western tourists in Burma last year. The largest number of tourists were from Thailand, followed by China. The number of foreign visitors passing through Rangoon International Airport rose by 21.8 per cent in 2012 to nearly 360,000, reports said Sunday. More than two-thirds were [...]
Union level peace-making group, RCSS/SSA peace-making group sign 11 initial agreement
According to proposal to keep the peace by thegovernment of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, in order to designate territory and open economic and liaison offices, Union level peacemaking group and RCSS/ SSA peace-making group met at the office of Shan State government in Taunggyi on 16 January and signed an 11 point [...]