Mizzima News

New Dehli — Foreigners wanting to visit cyclone-hit areas in Irrwaddy Division would have to acquire prior permission from the Ministry of Defence. A directive to this effect has been issued by the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism to tour companies.

Tourists must get prior permission through tour companies to go to cyclone-hit regions.

"In our directive, we have told tour companies not to go into these regions on the basis of their own programme and tour plan. There are some restrictions imposed by local authorities so tourists are not allowed to go to these areas without permission from the War Office (Ministry of Defence)," Hlaing Myint, Director of Hotel and Tourism Department, said.

To seek prior permission, tour companies must submit applications to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism in Naypyidaw (the new capital city).

"The tour companies shall submit their package tours to our department and then we forward them to the ministry. The ministry in turn will forward it to the War Office. The War Office usually gives permission to all applications forwarded by our department. This is a hassle free process," Hlaing Myint said.

Foreign tourists are barred from going to armed insurgent controlled areas where clashes usually take place. These are remote areas far away from the central government's control and other restricted areas. They need to get special permission to go to these regions. The restricted areas include cantonment and military operation areas.

"Most foreigners plan their trips to the delta region in Irrawaddy Division through NGOs. Our tour companies usually do not arrange these tours. But our buses are hired. They need to submit their applications seeking permission to the Home Ministry which usually takes at least two weeks to one month to process it," a tour company operator said on condition of anonymity.

But foreigners are not restricted from donating to cyclone victims, he added.