Junta directs tour operators to monitor tourists

By Mungpi
Mizzima News

30 April 2008 - New Delhi – An over cautious Burmese military junta is not taking any chances in the run up to the referendum and is taking all the precautions it can think off. It has directed tour operators to monitor and take responsibility of tourists recommended to obtain 'Visa on Arrival'. Stern action would be initiated if the tour operators do not oblige.

In a notice issued by the Burmese Ministry of Hotels and Tourism to Myanmar tour operators association, it instructed tour operators to ensure that tourists, whom it recommend for 'Visa on Arrival', should not be involved in any kind of political activities.

The letter, a copy of which is with Mizzima, said, Burma is conducting a referendum to approve its draft constitution on May 10. "And in order to ensure that the referendum is successfully conducted all tour operators must ensure that foreign tourists do not get embroiled in the political process."

Tour operators from May 1 to 15 must ensure that tourists stick to the four categories of tourism allowed by the ministry - Leisure tourism, Business Concentrated tourism, Regular Business travel and Special Interest tourism, that includes Eco-tourism, Cultural tourism, and Agro-tourism.

"Respective tour companies would be held accountable if tourists, whom they recommend, should create unwanted administrative and security problems," said the letter, signed by retired Lt-Col Yan Naing on behalf of the Minister.

The notice was send to the Myanmar Tour Operators Association by the Burmese Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on April 21, 2008.

While the letter does not mention restricting tourists from traveling to Burma during the month of May, a tour company spokesman in Rangoon said there are only a few tourists, who have bookings to travel into the country in May.

This, however, coincides with rumours that the Burmese government has imposed restrictions in issuing visas to tourists.

However, an official of the Burmese Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, denied the rumors saying visa application procedures remain the same and that it continues to issue several visas as well as 'Visa on Arrival'.

Despite the official's denial, a tourist in Thailand, who applied for an entry visa at the Burmese embassy in Bangkok said the procedures have been slightly modified and that it requires personal interviews before the embassy issues visas.

The tourist said obtaining a Burmese visa, now requires proving that the applicant has a clean record and has to sign a pledge stating that the tourist does not have any connection with political activities.

According to a tour company in Burma, to obtain a 'Visa on Arrival' one needs at least two weeks of advance booking.