ASIA DMC Myanmar Managing Director Gerben Bloemendaal on his 2 days trekking from Pindaya to Natural Blue Pond.

Q: What makes Myanmar so unique compared to other destination?

A: Myanmar is honestly one of the most magical, unspoiled and undiscovered destinations in the world: a golden land of breathtaking beauty and charm shrouded in a cloak of fascinating history and traditions. The country has it all - exotic experiences, pristine beaches and unrivaled heritage. It's the perfect choice for adventurers seeking to explore nature, float away in a hot air balloon and immerse themselves in exciting outdoor activities.

Keen photographers will delight in the incredible light offered by the destination, where the many hues of Southeast Asian sunlight cast on the landscapes creates a vibrant sense of life in any subject. The country’s amazing views can inspire anyone to be a photographer with the beautiful pagodas of Bagan, the crystal clear waters of Inle Lake at dawn or the thanaka-painted faces of Myanmar people. Local people, the Burmese, are famous as some of the kindest and most welcoming people in the world, always willing to go out of their way to make friends, help you out and make you feel at home in their country. Genuinely happy, smiling faces will be there to greet guests especially over an English over a cup of tea!

Q: It is said that visits to Bagan have become overcrowded due to its rising fame. When are the best times to visit Bagan in particular and Myanmar in general to avoid the crowds?

A: The number of visitors coming to Myanmar, and Bagan in particular, has increased significantly over the past few years. However, compared to other countries like Thailand or India, Myanmar is not crowded at all. Therefore, I prefer to use the word “busy” instead of crowded. The holiday season is always a popular time to visit due to a drop in temperature and a lower chance of rain. However, if possible avoid November and February when it can be very busy. If you do though it’s an ideal time to take one of our experiential trips to more remote areas where you will definitely not find many tourists and you can revel in the real, authentic face of Myanmar.

Green Season (June – Mid October) is also an excellent time to visit Myanmar, especially Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Shan State (Hsipaw, Kyaukme, Pyin Oo Lwin, Kalaw and Inle Lake). Hotel rates are up to 50% less too. However, this is not a good time for the beach as it rains a lot at the coast and many hotels are closed. Best time to visit the beaches is between November and mid-May.

Q: Many people said that Myanmar is very expensive to travel, is it true?

A: Compared to the surrounding countries like India, Thailand or Cambodia, hotel rates are a little higher but in the last two years, rates have been coming down with increased competition. This drop has thankfully happened in the luxury segment where rates tripled in 2012 and 2013. Last year, the average room rate in our assessment of 20 hotels and guesthouses in downtown Yangon and Mandalay dropped by up to 30% compared to 2013, while the average room rate in Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake), where many modern hotels were built between 2011 and 2016, has also dropped by 30% since 2015. Room rates in other towns and villages have fallen much less. I’d expect the downward trend in the room rates to continue in the next few years. Quality transport and restaurants in the main destinations has also almost doubled as well in the last year which is great news for travelers to come and discover the destination. 

Q: The Myanmar government recently announced that according to the security situation there is limited access to some restricted areas. Is Myanmar safe to travel to right now?

A: Restricted areas have been kept closed from the beginning (since 2010) for the purpose of safety and security. Although in 2013 more restricted areas have opened like in Chin State, which previously could only be visited with a permit and government guide. Some local communities and organizations pushed for their independence after the government change in 2015.

The safety and security situation in some areas has improved over the last few years due to cease-fire agreements but there are still some disturbances in some of very remote places in northern Shan State at the Chinese border and Northern Rakhine State on the Bangladesh border. However, these places are not the favourite destinations for travelers. Myanmar is a very safe place to travel and we would like to confirm to potential visitors that all the main beautiful sites such as Bagan, Inle, Mrauk U, Mandalay, Ngapali and other beaches, southern and eastern Shan State, Kayah, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi regions, Yangon and surrounding areas as well as places in the south are very safe.  

Q: What can ASIA DMC bring to its customers? What are your key points of differentiation?

A: We are committed to make new tailor-made itineraries based on our passion for discovery, offering new experiences in Myanmar’s major destinations (such as Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake) but also off-the-beaten track and soft adventure programmes in more remote areas (where only a few foreigners have been before) for people who value truly authentic local experience. We provide unique, innovative and cost optimized travel products and extraordinary services that exceed our customer’s expectation. Personal advices, good value for money and great personal services are very important for us and definitely one of our key points of differentiation.