Are tropical islands in Myanmar Asia’s last untouched paradise?
Lack of infrastructure has protected the Myeik Archipelago in the Andaman Sea from the ravages of tourism, but for how much longer?
Picture 800 or so islands surrounded by beaches of white sand and backed by lush green forest, rising out of a translucent, turquoise sea on which fishing boats and a handful of yachts and speedboats are the only traffic. Then contemplate the fact that just 3,000 visitors a year stay overnight in this island chain in Southeast Asia, despite the southernmost islands being less than 200km north of Phuket, one of the world’s most popular destinations for a tropical beach break.
Welcome to the idyllic Myeik Archipelago, which is at the forefront of Myanmar’s efforts to boost tourism to the country. Strewn like green pearls across a 400km stretch of the Andaman Sea west of Myanmar’s southern coast, and home to only a tiny population of sea gypsies and settlers from the mainland, the archipelago was completely off limits to foreign travellers until 1997. Even now, a permit is required for those who wish to visit on anything other than a day trip to the islands closest to the coast.
For the Myanmar government and companies eyeing potential resorts and hotels, the archipelago offers a rare opportunity. The question is how to open it up without affecting the natural environment.
“We have about 1,385 miles [2,200km] of coastline and most of it is undeveloped. Marine tourism can be very big for Myanmar,” says Hla Aye, of the Tanintharyi Tourism Development Committee, which was set up in 2016 to attract more visitors to Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar’s southernmost province, and the islands off it. “But it has to be done in a sustainable way.”