Myanmar: Is now a good time to go?

Mon, 04/30/2012 - 14:41 — Anonymous by Gemma PriceTwo years of political
reforms, the lifting of sanctions and the floating of the Myanmar currency at
818 kyat (pronounced 'chat') to the U.S. dollar -- the opening up of this
hitherto hermetic state suggests big changes in its economy. But what are the
implications for travelers? With investors encouraged to move in, companies
in Myanmar will find it easier to do business and any moral reservations that
international visitors might have harbored about visiting Myanmar will likely
soon begin to dissipate. In the last six months, Myanmar has rocketed to the
top of must-go-now lists as travelers -- just like the world's powers --
scramble to get in before the country is overrun by fellow travelers. Last
year, 391,176 visitors traveled to the country according to the Ministry of
Hotels and Tourism. In 2012, the ministry predicts an increase of nearly 30
percent to 500,000 -- possibly straining the Southeast Asian
nation's infrastructure.read more