This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about Rudyard Kipling - Letters from the Far East 1898

Transcription

1 This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about Rudyard Kipling - Letters from the Far East 1898

2 Myanmar & the Mergui Archipelago John Farrell Star City - Yangon

3 Myanmar The Country Myanmar, or Burma as the British called the country during the colonial era, is one of the largest countries in Asia. Myanmar is around 2000 km (1200 miles) long, stretching from tropical islands in the south to the Himalayas in the north. 700,000 sq km (Larger than France) Borders with China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand. It has a population of just over 50 million, with some 20-40% living in near poverty

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5 Yangon THAILAND Andaman Islands Kawthaung, Southern (and yacht) entry point Koh Samui Phuket Langkawi MALAYSIA

6 Politically The present military back government was nominally elected in 2011 and has made huge changes in the country. The next election in 2015, this will be the first test of this government. The NLP (Aung San Su Ki s party) took all the seats in the last by-election, they didn t contest the full election in The present government is struggling with the huge changes that are suddenly being thrust upon the country. While its not likely it will return to the old ways, the future is unclear. The average person in the street has seen little change except prices rise and many more foreigners arrive.

7 Development Yangon is fast developing as a city, well the rest of the country languishes behind. There a few 5* hotels and several more are under construc@on.

8 In the last 6 months of 2014, 25 countries spent $6.62 billion on foreign direct investment FDI in energy, garment, informa@on technology, and food and beverages sectors receiving most of that investment Singapore companies comprised more than half of the investment totalling of US$3.8 billion, Infla@on reached 7.3 percent in August, Projected growth of 6.8% is forecast , World Bank

9 Yachts and Yachting in Yangon There is a fledgling yacht refit industry in Yangon Yachts have been refixed in Yangon for the last 10 years. Mostly wooden but recently Steel yachts have come for work While the yacht industry is there, there are no discernible chandleries, or marinas, adding to the challenges of; Skilled labour Costs Distances

10 Tourism Last year the government declared 2 million inbound tourists, the industry puts the figure nearer 850,000. With only 5 x 6* hotels in Yangon demand has seen prices rise dramatically in the last few years. Mandalay and Bagan are cultural destinations for tourists, Yangon is a business centre. For the Sun & Sea tourist there are few developed beaches. The most likely place for marine tourism to flourish is in the far south the Mergui Archipelago. Lying just 180 kms north of Phuket 800+ islands, 30,000 mile2 (50,000 km2 ) With islands the size of Singapore

11 The Archipelago For scuba divers the diving is world class, especially around the islands furthest away from the mainland where the waters are cleaner and deeper. Even for the casual snorkeler there is plenty to see around any of the islands. Some of the residents you may see; Tiger, leopard, bear, wild boar, sambar, barking deer, tapir, mouse deer, flying lemur, gibbons, macaque, monkeys, sea otters, pythons, cobra, crocodiles, monitor lizards, leatherback turtles, hawksbill turtles. Flocks of Plain-pouched Hornbills Most of the islands are uninhabited though a few are temporary homes to the local sea gypsies who sail from island to island.

12 Yangon 350miles North Mergui Archipelago Mergui Area 30,000 mile 2 (50,000 km 2 ) Geography 800 islands Temperature Ranges C Kawthaung Phuket 120miles South Ranong

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14 The Yacht Meta V is a regular charter yacht in the region.

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17 Motor / Sailing Boats of the Archipelago First yacht chartered in the region in the late 90 s There are almost 80 yacht visits in the peak season. The Boats A wide range of yachts charter in the region, numbering about 15, they are from 70ft upwards. The country has 2 locally owned yachts.

18 Motor / Sailing Boat visiting Mergui Archipelago ( ) ( )

19 Boat tourists visiting Mergui Archipelago ( ) ( )

20 Income ( ) & ( ) = US $ = US $

21 Costs Visiting yachts do there preparation through Phuket agents. Myanmar has few people willing or able to organise such excursions. There are no facilities so yachts visiting need to be capable of unaided travel for a week at least. Presently it can take a few hours to clear into the Archipelago. A licence is required to sail in the Archipelago. Each trip requires a cruising permit, itinerary crew and passenger list all submitted 2 weeks prior to arrival. There are companies with the experience to act as agents for this process, include The Yacht Support Group and APSA. Guest Cruising Permit costs US$120 per guest for the first 5 days and then each additional day costs US$35. A Government Guide (required) costs US$30 per cruising day. Plus the usual port fees etc.

22 Marine Tourism In Southeast Asia, it is estimated that each square kilometer of healthy reef (in areas with tourism potential) has a potential net benefit of $23,100 to $270,000. Despite their great economic and recreational value, coral reefs are threatened by a number of factors. Recreation and tourism are "high value" industries that are especially sensitive to reef condition, and thus particularly vulnerable to degradation. [NOAA. 2008] The local and regional governments have identified Marine Tourism as potentially the larger revenue earner for this region. The Mergui Archipelago has numerous potential sites for Hotels resorts and marinas. For foreign investment companies the government requires heavy investment in the environment and CSR, which is good locally.

23 85 miles Myeik to The Sisters Mergui / Myeik / Baté Pan Daung 150 miles Myeik to Kawtaung 65 miles Kawtaung to Lampi Kyunn Thann Shey Lampi Is. 115 Is. Phuket 120 miles South Kawtaung

24 This is Myanmar, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about Anyone 2014