Tourism revenue has risen almost twentyfold in Burma over the past decade as holidaymakers ignore the advice of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the country’s democratic opposition party, to boycott the SouthEast Asian country.

Figures from the World and Travel Tourism Council show that revenue generated from overseas visitors is expected to reach £1.5 billion this year; up from £88 million in 1997.

In the week that troops were sent in to crush pro-democracy demonstrations by Buddhist monks in Rangoon, the former capital, killing several protesters and injuring others, operators such as Steppes East and TransIndus have stood by their decision to offer trips. Breaks have ceased for the time being after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised against all but essential travel to Burma after this week’s violence. However, Amrit Singh, managing director of TransIndus, said: “Tourism is the only way Burma interacts with the outside world.

“Journalists are not allowed in, and for years the United Nations has failed to table talks about the country, mainly because countries such as China were not interested. Tourism is a way of keeping in touch.”

Singh was born in Burma, but her Indian parents left because of the regime. She recommends visits to Rangoon, Bagan (known for its many Buddhist temples) and Mandalay. A typical two-week trip costs £2,200 including flights, but Singh stressed that only private, as opposed to government-sanctioned, hotels and guides are used “so money goes directly into peoples’ pockets, not to the regime”.

Details: WTTC (www.wttc.org), FCO (www.fco.gov.uk), TransIndus (www.transindus.com).

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