Burma has kept much of its unique culture and civilization partly due to its many years of isolation from the outside world. First by the self-imposed closed-door policy, officially named "The Burmese Way to Socialism" and later during two decades of sanctions and political isolation imposed by the West. There is however a growing perception that the sanctions and policies aimed to bring about changes, instead have contributed to keeping the general population in a state of economic poverty and isolation. And that more, not less contact between the Burmese people and the outside world may be one way to help them. The arrival of foreign tourists has hardly ever exceeded 200.000 per year. In a country larger than France with a population of more that 50 million that leaves a lot to be discovered!
Like in other Asian countries, the money spent by tourists will benefit the ordinary people. The family who runs the hotel, the guide who shows you around, the lady with her mobile tea shop, the taxi driver, the waitress in the restaurant, the porter in the airport, the owner of the souvenir shop; all do they have a stake in what you spend during your trip. Tourist establishments in Burma are generally on private hands and there are many to choose among, to cater for the well healed as well as for the shoestring traveler.
