Responsible tourism in Myanmar
In 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi was finally released. The following year, her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), stated that they "would welcome visitors who are keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country." Since then, Responsible Travel has worked with travel companies who we believe are operating in an ethical way, showing high levels of respect for Myanmar's people, culture and environment.
However, this is far from the end of the story. Myanmar still has a non-democratically elected government, and corruption and human right abuses continue. Since 2017, the persecution of the Rohingya – an Islamic people who live in western Myanmar - has made headlines around the world, with many describing the brutal massacres as genocide.
We always encourage tourists to conduct their visit in a sensitive and informed way at every step of their vacation, but this is particularly crucial in Myanmar. From sourcing an ethical operator to avoiding government hotels and behaving responsibly in the country, we’ve shared our main responsible tourism tips below.
Read more about the political issues and how to get involved in campaigns at Burma Campaign UK.
Our Myanmar (Burma) Vacations
Myanmar 9 day highlights tour
Myanmar Classic Adventure in responsible ways
Burma photography tour
Discover Burma with a professional travel photographer
Family vacation in Burma
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Burma
Burma cultural vacation
Discover a side of Myanmar hidden beyond the tourist trail
Burma vacations, small group tour
The highlights of Burma visiting Rangoon, Bagan, Mandalay & Inle Lake
Myanmar 13 day itinerary
Best of Myanmar's cultural and luxury experiences
Burma vacation, rivers & railways
A privately guided tour of the highlights of Burma
South Burma tour
Southern Burma Tour; Rangoon to the Mergui Archipelago
Irrawaddy river cruise, Burma
Sail the mighty Ayarwaddy in a unique experience of Myanmar!
Myanmar highlights group tour
Witness extraordinary scenic, religious and cultural variety
Myanmar tailor made tour, tea, temples & trails
Venture deeper and further into an undiscovered Myanmar.
Burma small group tour
Mythical landscapes & ancient treasures of Burma
Cruising vacation in Burma, the Mergui Archipelago
A comprehensive tour of Burma including ocean sailing
Burma tailor made vacation, highlights
Explore Myanmar in fantastic variety and depth!
Myanmar 2 week itinerary
Amazing Myanmar, nature and culture responsible tour
Thailand and Myanmar hiking vacation
-Walking in northern Thailand and Myanmar
Myanmar whistle stop tour
A packed tour for travelers keen to dive deep into Myanmar.
Burma tour, encompassed
Burma tour: from the Shan Plateau to Mergui Archipelago
Small group tour of Burma
Highlights of Burma as well as getting off the beaten track.
Burma hot air balloon festival vacation
Tailormade Myanmar adventure combining trekking and culture
Southern Myanmar tour, 7 days
Local experience road trip for adventurer
Shan State tour in Myanmar
Soft trekking experience of genuine destination
Myanmar to Laos tour
Slow Travel - Border Pass Multi Countries Tour
Myanmar family tour
Brilliant Road Trip Exploration for Family
Myanmar 15 day tour inc Kayah State
Venture south of Inle to Samkar and the home of the Kayah.
Small group vacation to Burma
Highlights of Burma; Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Lake Inle
Myanmar adventure vacation
Discover Myanmar as it emerges into the world!
Myanmar 13 day tour, hidden treasures
Delve into Myanmar's less-visited regions
People & culture
The persecution of the Rohingya
Over the years, there have been sporadic attacks by Rohingya militants on police officers and Buddhist monks. As tensions boiled over, in August 2017, the militants attacked government forces, and the response was a “clearance operation” by government security forces and Buddhist militia. Prior to August 2017, over 307,000 Rohingya had fled to temporary settlements or ill-equipped refugee camps along the border. Since then, as of January 2018, an additional 655,000 Rohingya have become refugees, according to UNHCR, bringing the total to almost one million. The government attacks have been described as ethnic cleansing and even genocide, and they are utterly shocking in their brutality. Far from targeting insurgents, the militia have slaughtered women, children and babies, and have razed remote villages and urban centers; Human Rights Watch reported that at least 288 villages have been destroyed by fire, with many thousands killed. International aid agencies have been blocked from delivering essential supplies to many communities in conflict zones, with the Myanmar government accusing them of supporting terrorists.
For many people reading about this violence, one of the most shocking aspects has been the lack of response from Myanmar’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The Nobel Peace Laureate was democratically elected and viewed with incredible hope for a freer, more peaceful Myanmar. However, she has repeatedly rebuffed requests to intervene and support the Rohingya. Suu Kyi does not have control over the military, but her refusal to condemn their actions throws into doubt her commitment to human rights – something she has long been praised for. At present, she has not even acknowledged the ethnic cleansing that is taking place within her country’s borders – and has described the violence as a means of dealing with terrorists.
- Updated 2 February 2018
Tourism vs. authenticity
Naturally, there was a scramble to be amongst the first to see this mysterious country, unaccustomed to Western culture and not tailored for tourism. It seems ironic that the tourism industry rates places based upon how influenced they are by tourism - and it doesn't bode well for the industry that the places we value most are those where we have had the least impact.
Myanmar was effectively a clean slate - a chance to start doing things right from the very beginning; much easier, it would seem, than undoing years of poor tourism practices, unrestricted building and development and exploitation of local cultures. But even the most educated tourist - staying in local guesthouses, employing local guides - has an enormous responsibility: as one of the first westerners that local people may have seen, their actions will go on to influence Myanmar's perception of tourism long into the future. A sneakily snapped photo, a bare shoulder, a dismissal of local food or an incorrectly calculated tip may give a negative impression of all tourists, as visitors wield far more influence here than in tourism-weary Thailand or Vietnam.
What you can do
Educate yourself. There is plenty of literature about Myanmar's history that will help you understand the cultural, spiritual and political complexities of Burma’s 130 cultures. Andrew Appleyard, a trained archaeologist who also works for our supplier, Exodus, recommends From the Land of Green Ghosts, a memoir by Myanmar's Pascal Khoo Thwe. You may be on vacation, but Myanmar is these people’s reality – so it’s simple: treat them as you would strangers in your own country.
Government vs. local spending
Quite simply: go local. Shop in markets, eat in local restaurants, hire guides and purchase handcrafts. There is a growing amount of information online about worthwhile tourism and craft projects, as well as new initiatives springing up on the ground. And remember – haggling may be fun and part of the culture, but a fair price is not the same as the cheapest one.
“Get on a bike, see some of the rural economies where no tourists go and put money into those local economies. Go trekking there as well, because you’re then employing local porters, local staff, to carry gear. It provides far greater employment that sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle. We’ve got a trekking guide, a mechanic for the cyclists, a support vehicle – so there’s far more employment in active, adventure stuff than there is just in normal tourism.”
“We try to maintain information at the center about where to find more responsible craft projects like silk and silver and gold manufacturing or where to find restaurants that are use produce that is farmed more organically. I would recommend that people stop at that community center and learn more before going out on the lake. It’s right on the jetty where people board the boat to go out of the lake, and it’s open from 7-7 every day.”
Myanmar vs. Burma
Symbolising the difficulties and subtleties of travel in Burma, even the name of the country is a political and cultural minefield. Myanmar is in fact the correct name, and it has been recognised by the UN since the military junta changed the name in 1989. However, as resentment towards the government continues, not everyone chooses to call it "Myanmar".Burma is used more commonly – including by tour companies and organisations such as the BBC – quite simply because it is still the most recognised and understood name. Aung San Suu Kyi herself says she prefers Burma, "because the name was changed [by the government] without any reference to the will of the people."
For others, though, "Burma" has colonial undertones as the name was created by the British, who named the country after its biggest tribe, the Bamar. This means that, technically, "Burma" only refers to a portion of its people – much like referring to the UK as "England". Some even claim the language should be called "Myanmar", as Burmese is spoken by the Bamar.
Old Bagan vs. New Bagan
You may have noticed on a map that there are two Bagans – Old Bagan and New Bagan. Unfortunately, there is a sorry story behind this. In the late 1980s, the government moved Bagan’s residents off their ancestral land to encourage tourists to visit the temples. However, the people were not compensated in any way, and as tourists do not visit New Bagan, they do not benefit from tourism – despite having been the guardians of Bagan’s astounding pagodas for centuries. With an influx of foreign investors, golfers and international hotel chains in the region, it’s unlikely this will change any time soon.What you can do
Hire a local guide, and ask them to take you to the hidden corners of Bagan – it’s a vast site, and tourists huddle in the same spots. Support local vendors, visit the markets, and get on your bike to explore more of the region and its culture. Ensure you book a locally-owned hotel or guesthouse, and avoid the 5-star behemoths at all costs. You can also stay in New Bagan, rather than Old Bagan.
Responsible tourism tips
