In the latest of a nearly unbelievable series of developments in Myanmar (still officially called Burma by the US, UK and Australia), President Obama has appointed Derek Mitchell (currently a US envoy to Myanmar) the first US ambassador to Myanmar since 1990. At the same time the financial sanctions that have helped cripple Burmese trade have been reduced by the US – following the trend set by the EU. The result is certain to be massively increased investment in – and tourism to – Myanmar. Read on to learn what that means for the country...

Impact of Globalization

For the most part this should be excellent, even amazing, for the citizens of Myanmar (often referred to generically as Burmese, but technically the members of well over 100 ethnic groups including Burmese). Their historically export-led economy will no doubt boom – hotel rates in Yangon have already doubled as businesses seek a gold rush – and the stifled middle-class should begin to grow rapidly. However, the Burmese will also suffer the perils of globalization. To illustrate, here is a story from our most recent photo tour to Cambodia and Burma:

When we were visiting a village along Inle Lake – where nearly all travel is done by wooden boat – we asked the owner of a small boat-making shop where all the work is done by hand whether he’d considered using any power tools, especially for rip-sawing the often 20’ long beams of teak for the hulls. He looked like he had considered the option carefully and explained, “What would my cousins do?” We realized of course that the shop was more than just a job for a few workmen and artisans. It was the means of support for this man and his extended family. Replacing the two men working the ripsaw with a power saw would cost them their jobs, and replace them with expenses in fuel and repairs.

Up until now, with imports cut off, the hand-made boats have had the market to themselves. But imagine in a year or two, when resin-molded Chinese versions start to flood the market at a fraction of the cost. No doubt it will benefit the fishermen who need the boats for their livelihood, and may help save the teak forests, but it is likely to cost many of the workers who make the boats their jobs.

Imagine this story repeated thousands, perhaps millions, of times all over the country.  For every entrepreneur who can now export their excellent lacquerware or stone carvings to the US and Europe, hundreds of local farmers, craftsmen and shop workers will need to drastically change the way they work or risk losing their incomes. This transition has happened, or is happening, in many countries, but probably faster in Burma than any of the others.

Now is the Time to Visit

Myanmar is a large country, with plenty of areas that will be amazing to visit for many years to come. But the upcoming surge in tourism will make the major sites increasingly crowded. Fortunately for us (although perhaps not for the Myanmar economy), the tourist infrastructure is very limited right now – and will be for the next 1-2 years. There are only a few tourist-ready hotels in each city, a few vehicles that can be chartered, and a few really good english-speaking guides. That will all begin to change quickly as foreign capital pours into the industry, and the classic photo sites like the Shwedagon and Bagan will become crowded before too long.

I expect to be able to find us new places to visit in Myanmar for many years (like the river trip we’ve added this year) but now is the time to see Myanmar the way it has been for centuries and before it catapaults into being a modern country. We’ve only got a couple spots left on our January, 2013 trip to Myanmar and Cambodia (which you can reserve online), but we’ll be headed back in December, 2013 or January, 2014 (email safaris [at] cardinalphoto.com you want to be on the list to be notified about those trips).