Eco tour costs scare off local tourists
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Local tourists have shunned ecotourism tours, due to the relatively higher expenses compared to conventional tours, said tour operators.
A local ecotourism operator said that trips to Phoe Kyar Elephant Camp, Natmataung, and the Myeik Archipelago are more expensive than the tours to other destinations like Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaungtha Beach.
"It's because there's no bus line. Cars must be rented and the food must be prepared separately so it is more expensive. Especially, the tour operators have to make special arrangements due to lack of infrastructure,” he said on the condition of anonymity.
Normal tours for local tourists offer many restaurants and hotels to choose from and bus lines run regularly, so they are less expensive than ecotourism tours.
An anonymous local tourist noted that it only cost between Ks 3,500 to Ks 4,000 per person for a good Myanmar-style meal in places like Bagan. But, it cost Ks 8,000 per person in places like Phoe Kyar Elephant Camp. The expense for meals already costs a lot [so] we have no other choice.
According to sources in the tourism industry, there has been a rise in the number of local tourists as well as foreign tourists in Myanmar.
"Myanmar tourists are now travelling more than before. They go on both ecotourism and normal tours. But, most of the local tourists cannot afford to go to places like Natmataung, even though they are interested, because it costs a lot," said Ma Nwe, a local ecotourism operator.
According to her, local tourists have to rent small vehicles such as Pajeros or Jeeps, which can only seat three or four person, in order to travel the rough roads from Bagan to Natmataung, so the personal expenses continue to rise.
"A trip to Myeik Archipelago with rental for foreigners cost US$800 each, so only a few local tourists can afford this," said Ma Nwe.
Elephant camps in Myeik Archipelago, Natmataung, Indawgyi Lake, and Kayin State are included among the list of popular ecotourism sites local tourists want to visit. But due to the current costs, these sites receive many more foreign visitors than those from within Myanmar, according to tour operators.
