The upmarket tour operator Kuoni is reportedly considering once again providing holiday packages to Burma, despite the country’s terrible human rights record.
As reported by News From Abroad last year, the company stopped all tours to Burma and did not feature the destination in its 2003-2004 brochures, winning support from human rights groups.
But The Independent newspaper today quotes a spokesman as saying: “Along with many other destinations not yet included in their various programmes, Burma is currently being evaluated by the Kuoni Group with regard to their 2004-2005 programmes, but no decision has yet been taken.” The newspaper states that the UK operation of Kuoni will not be offering trips to Burma.
Unsurprisingly, the statement has already provoked criticism; Yvette Mahon, of the Burma Campaign UK, reportedly said: “We are very angry that Kuoni have broken their word. Than Shwe, the dictator of Burma, will be delighted by this news. Money from the tourists Kuoni takes to Burma will go straight into his pockets.”
The British Government and the EU have both requested that travel companies stay away from operations in Burma.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
