Boycott Lonely Planet Campaign

Human rights and tourism There are remarkably few areas in the world where human rights are fully respected. There are also few occasions when the nature of the suppression of human rights is such that the exclusion of tourists from the country is justified. However, Burma is a rare example where the exclusion of tourists is appropriate. Some of the reasons are outlined below:

• There are well documented mass human rights abuses directly linked to the development of tourist infrastructure and the tourism industry. The International Labour Organisation reports that "the military treat the civilian population as an unlimited pool of unpaid forced labourers and servants at their disposal. The practice of forced labour is to encourage private investment in infrastructure development, public sector works and tourism projects."

• It is extremely difficult for individual tourists to avoid providing hard currency to the regime. There is a requirement for independent tourists to exchange US$200 when entering the country, while many hotels, domestic airlines and other 'dollar only' retail outlets are fully or jointly owned by the regime or its associates. A regime that was weak and bankrupt in 1988 has used foreign investment through the 1990s to double the size of its military and strengthen its grip on power.

• Tourism currently benefits only a tiny percentage of Burma's 48 million people. Eighty per cent live in rural areas and do not in the main benefit from current forms of tourism. In fact because of the widespread human rights abuses linked to tourism the high cost for the vast majority of ordinary Burmese of tourism development currently outweighs any benefits.

• Burma's elected leaders, the only authority with a mandate to speak for the people, have asked all tourists not to visit Burma for the time being. This is a position held by both the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).

• On release from house arrest on 6th May 2002, Aung San Suu Kyi said it was too early to consider an end to the sanctions on trade, aid and investment. "My message to the foreign community is please continue to support the struggle for democracy in Burma in every way you can." (6th May 2002)

• "I still think that people should not come to Burma because the bulk of the money from tourism goes straight into the pockets of the generals. And not only that, it's a form of moral support for them because it makes the military authorities think that the international community is not opposed to the human rights violations which they are committing all the time. They seem to look on the influx of tourists as proof that their actions are accepted by the world." (January 1999)

• "There are fewer tourists - (the boycott is) working, and the better it works the better for the prospects of democracy in Burma." (January 1999)

• "Burmese people know their own problems better than anyone else. They know what they want - they want democracy - and many have died for it. To suggest that there's anything new that tourists can teach the people of Burma about their own situation is not simply patronising - it's also racist." (January 1999)

• "Tour operators and guide book writers should listen to their consciences - and be honest about their motivations. Profit is clearly their agenda. It's not good enough to suggest that by visiting Burma tourists will understand more. If tourists really wanted to find out what's happening in Burma - It's better if they stay at home and read some of the many human rights reports there are." (January 1999)

• "I hope you can come back to this country one day and see the people when they are not frightened. Burma will be here for many years, so tell your friends to visit us later. Visiting now is tantamount to condoning the regime." (January 1999)

• "When democracy is restored and the people are free, the Burmese democracy movement would gladly welcome visitors to Burma. However, tourists should definitely not visit Burma yet as tourist dollars are helping prop up the illegitimate military regime ruling the country. The Burmese people want an end to military rule in Burma and to re-establish contacts with the rest of the world. However, it is our opinion that visiting Burma now will only help the military to remain in power."

Lonely Planet has recently published a new guide to Burma. Current sales figures are estimated to be in the region of 2000 guides per year. However, Lonely Planet is looking to double sales of its Burma guide. Such an increase would mean that a greater number of people would visit Burma - helping provide further fuel for abuses of Burma's people.

For the reasons detailed above Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA considers the production of a Lonely Planet guide to Burma to be entirely inappropriate at this time. This view is strengthened by the ill-informed account of the ethical debate concerning tourism to Burma contained within the current edition of the guide. The guide also neglects to mention or plays down the severity of the pervasive human rights abuses in the country. These are abuses consistently detailed by authoritative humanitarian and human rights bodies, the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. The errors and lack of contextual explanation contained within the guide serve to misinform an audience who trust Lonely Planet publications to provide accurate and well researched information.

Take Action

If you need a guide book (to any destination) don't buy a Lonely Planet guide. Buy a guide from a publisher that does not produce guides to Burma.

Send a message to Lonely Planet

With thanks to the Burma Campaign UK for permission to use material www.burmacampaign.org.uk

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-Sep-2009 18:21:35 EST
This page: http://apheda.org.au/campaigns/burma_campaign/resources/1067569261_31594.html