Most tourist don't really care about the politics of the country to be visited. They just want it to be safe, have interesting places to see, decent accommodation and food and be able to get around. As an example out of all the tourists to Siem Reap how many take the time to read up on what the country has gone through in the past years and why it is so poor.

And why just pick on Burma. Is not China just as bad. Europeans and Canadians flock to Cuba for great beach holidays
and don't give a second thought to the political climate.

Scotters, I really do believe that the situation in Burma is different from the situation in China or Cuba. And whether "most tourists" are sensitive to the political situation in a country or not is irrelevant to me. The issue for me is that I want to be aware of the impact of my behavior and to be responsible for that impact. There are plenty of "bad regimes" in the world, indeed, I have disagreed with many of the actions of my own government in the last 6 years. But the situation in Burma is truly different.

The junta has a policy of genocide against a number of the northern ethnic groups, the government uses drugs to essentially enslave jade and ruby mine workers, and enslave women to service the workers, the government's use of torture is well-documented as it is's long history of imprisioning or killing political opponents, the people of Burma have little individual freedom, and can be arrested for being under suspicion of reading "subversive" materials, for instance.

So while I am clear on my own personal stance on visiting Burma, I am also well aware of good arguments for visiting Burma. I continue to weigh these arguments, and listen to what those returning from Burma have to say about their expereinces. I know that there is a division of opinion within Burma about whether travelers should visit, so it's no wonder there is a division of opinion on this board.

I do hope to visit Burma some day. I've wanted to see the plains of Bagan since I was a child. I had planned a trip to Burma just befoer ASSK asked that people not visit (in the early 1990s), but cancelled it after her statement. I again planned a trip to Burma when the junta released ASSK from house arrest, but cancelled when they attacked her entourage, killing a number of her followers and re-imprisioning her.

I will continue to keep abreast of the news in Burma and the news from travelers.

Craig, I look forward to your report on your upcoming trip.

Thank you for the voice of reason in your last post, Kathie. I, too, have gone back and forth for almost ten years about visiting Burma. Unlike you, I have decided to visit (leaving in ten days) though I still feel less than completely comfortable. Reading and listening to both sides of the debate, I have come to feel that isolation has not improved the situation; too, the change of mind of some of the people previously in favor of a boycott has influenced me.

I wish I felt that this was the absolutely right decision. Knowing that the government will take a good share of the money I spend makes me sick; on the other hand, hoping that the people will gain monetarily and emotionally from my presence helps to balance this thought.

I'll let you all know how it went when I return home in late February.

Thank you, WhitePelican, I will also look forward to your report.

I'll add some perspective here. Myanmar earns about $1 BILLION per year exporting natural gas to its neighbors - one of the reasons China vetoed the UN resolution. The few dollars you spend as a tourist that go to the government aren't going to have this kind of an impact.

I will of course post a report on my visit.

I was filled with trepidation before my visit, and was quite aware of the arguments on both sides.

Now, having returned, I can't wait for my (date unkown) next trip to Burma.

I think the contact with the local people far outweighs the benefit of a boycott.

It must be difficult to imagine oneself living as a local in Burma.
When I place myself in this scenario, I would much rather have the opportunity to improve my circumstances by working in the tourism industry, than being 'helped' by people trying to decimate this fledgling source of income.

Tourism adds to the choices of how to earn a living.

I would prefer to let the Burmese decide whether they want me as a tourist there. The warmth of the welcome I received was unmistakeable.

I hear you, Craig. However, although the amount I may spend is relatively insignificant, in many eyes it symbolizes an indirect statement of support for the junta. Several friends have given me a hard time about my decision. Gosh, I had better get off the forum before I change my mind and cancel the trip! Just kidding--I'm going, of course, doubts and all.

You make an important point about the contribution of tourism to the locals, Femi. That again is one of the reasons why I finally decided to visit.

I do find it interesting that no one I know and no one whose postings I have read has wished s/he hadn't gone to Burma; no one feels the visit was a mistake. Instead, everyone seems to want to go back.

For what it's worth, when I went to Burma a few years ago, people we spoke with said they were very glad we came and told us to tell others to come. They want contact with outsiders and, even though the government makes money from tourism, so do others. We didn't meet one person who said tourists should stay away.

While I agree that it is a good idea to know the political situation in countries one visits, I don't believe most people do, and that's fine. It's how they learn, as dogster stated. Most people just want to go on a vacation and don't consider politics, unless it's in the news as a dangerous place or off limits. I took the time to learn about the situation in Burma and then decided to go but that's me. If the OP doesn't care to read up on it beforehand, he/she shouldn't be judged or looked down upon. Something tells me however, after this discussion, the OP is getting quite an education on Burma!!