Comments on: FAMILY TRAVEL: Myanmar

By: Philanthropic Travel

Philanthropic Travel — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:30:06 +0000

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel does not organize travel to Myanmar. Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel has traveled to Myanmar on a fact finding mission and have supported a vetted non profit organization that brings much needed fresh water to a community there. However, Exquisite Safaris does not organize travel to Myanmar at this time. Editor's note: Then you'll want to correct your web site, as it advertises Myanmar as one of your "exquisite safari" destinations, with 5-star luxury accommodations and guides.

By: The Olmer Family

The Olmer Family — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:57:49 +0000

I was saddened to read the whole response on our trip and our family efforts from Mr. Chamberlain, the owner of a luxury travel agency Exquisite Safaris in San Francisco and especially disappointed in his ungracious use of language and name-calling. There are many different opinions among travelers as to whether people should travel to Burma (or Cuba or other undemocratic countries of the world). Anyone who will follow the link to our family website can read about our struggle to make this decision. Since my husband and I both emigrated from Communist countries we both had first hand experiences of the joy of meeting foreigners and having the opportunity to open our eyes to the outside world, while we were stuck behind the Iron Curtain. When we talked to many locals in Burma we asked them about their opinion on this matter and everyone assured us that they were elated to have contact with the outside world. It gives them not only an opportunity to make some hard currency but also gives them hope they are not forgotten. Contrary to Mr. Chamberlain’s clients we did not utilize luxury lodges and spas, we were careful to choose small family operated lodging and independent guides. While Exquisite Safaris charges from $300-$1000 per night (and donates $250 per trip to charity) we have spent less than $800 per person for 2 weeks and donated 150 pounds of supplies and $1000 to the orphanages we visited. This was not money from our business fueled by our clients, it was money our girls fundraised washing cars and serving dinners. We respect everyone’s efforts to make decisions they feel comfortable with and to help in the way they see fit, so please, be respectful of our efforts.

By: Tish

Tish — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:50:32 +0000

While I agree this article needs to mention the risks that are involved in going to Burma, and discuss the human rights abuses that are occurring in the country, but it is not true that every travel agency in Burma provides money to the Junta.

I know for a fact that there are travel agents that do not have connections to the Junta, there are also hotels, restaurants and other places in Burma that are not connected to the Junta.

This article and any article that is promoting travel in Burma should explain how to travel in Burma responsibly without putting money into the Junta’s hands, but into the hands of those who need it most such as the local tea shop owners, hotels, and restaurants.

I’m totally against tourism sanctions, but I believe that everyone should be aware of what is happening before they go and how to keep from putting money into the Junta’s hands.

By: exotic traveling » Blog Archive » FAMILY TRAVEL: Myanmar

exotic traveling » Blog Archive » FAMILY TRAVEL: Myanmar — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:31:38 +0000

[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]

By: Contra Costa Times: Public Relations Consultant to Myanmar Dictatorship « Understanding Travelers Philanthropy

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:11:48 +0000

[...] March 30, 2008 article in the Contra Cosa Times online magazine aPARENTLY Speaking has overlooked the reality of traveling to Myanmar/Burma completely. Regardless of the [...]

By: Philanthropic Travel

Philanthropic Travel — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:15:47 +0000

There is no question that Philanthropic Travel of this sort is beneficial for both travelers and hosts in many countries around the world.

However, travel agencies that reside in Burma are nothing more than agents of revenue generation for the brutal Myanmar dictators.

This story does nothing to tell consumers about the genocide that government has been executing against its own Karen ethnic group in the north.

Anyone considering travel, philanthropic or not should first make themselves aware of the situation on the ground in Burma.

Traveling there and supporting an orphanage is a wonderful experience. However, the hard currency in tax revenue is far greater and that money is being used to starve people, burn villages and rape innocents.

The writer of this article and Contra Cosa Times should have included these facts in this article. To publish this article without these facts amounts to a public relations coup de etat for the Myanmar government’s efforts to crush human rights and raise hard currency to continue its iron grip against freedom.

Learn More:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/

David Chamberlain
Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide
exquisitesafaris.com

(EDITORS NOTE: Exquisite Safari is a luxury travel agency that books trips to, among other places, Myanmar and Botswana. The agency describes itself as blending equal parts luxury and social conscience, with 6-star accommodations and experiences running $1,000 a night in Botswana, for example.)

By: FAMILY TRAVEL: Myanmar

FAMILY TRAVEL: Myanmar — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:18:34 +0000

[...] aulelia wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHere’s the scoop on Myanmar from this week’s travel experts… THE TRAVELERS: Parent educator Ksenija Soster Olmer, civil engineer Miroslav Olmer and their daughters Solana, 18, and Naya, 15. THE TREK IN A SEC: This Orinda family of four … [...]