Issue 18

IN THIS ISSUE

Classic Hotels: The Strand, Yangon

Classic Hotels

THE STRAND YANGON

In the first of our features on the classic hotels of the Mekong Region we look at one of South East Asia’s most famous hotels, Yangon’s Strand Hotel which is celebrating it’s 100 anniversary this year. The Strand was opened in 1901, on Strand Road, Rangoon, at the time one of British India's largest and most prized cities. It was built by a British entrepreneur called John Dawood and later acquired by the Sarkies brothers, to add to their growing collection of grand Asian hotels, which included Singapore’s Raffles Hotel, the Eastern and Oriental in Penang and the Majapahit in Surabaya. From the beginning, the Burmese hotel was regarded as "the finest hostelry east of Suez", and Murray's Handbook for Travellers in India, Burma and Ceylon, 1911 edition, says the hotel was "patronised by royalty, nobility and distinguished personages".

The distinguished, and less so, have continued to patronise the three-storey hotel in the decades since. There have, of course, been a few interludes over the years, such as a major renovation in 1937. During World War II, the occupying Japanese used part of the hotel, as stables for military horses. Then there was the war time bomb that plunged through The Strand roof to land, unexploded, in what was known as Princess Hall and is now the hotels manager's office. There it remained for a few days, drawing curious crowds, before finally being carted away.

Following a total renovation during the early 1990's, The Strand reopened in January 1994 as an Amanresort. By then, Burma was known as Myanmar and Rangoon had become Yangon. In September 1999, The Strand Hotel appointed General Hotels Management (GHM) as the new management company.

The Strand has long been recognised as a national landmark, a model of auspicious, colonial repose. The hotel's Victorian influence is visible from the colonnaded entranceway to the lobby with its marble floors inlaid with Burmese teak, the rattan furniture and potted palms, the chandeliers and black-lacquered ceiling fans – all of its imbues The Strand with a personality as welcome as it is inimitable.

With the renovations of the early 1990s, the room count has been pared from 50 to 32 spacious, elegantly appointed suites. Located on the two upper floors, the rooms are serviced 24 hours a day by a team of butlers – the men sporting Burmese dress jackets or tighpone, the women in Shan-style blouses, and both wearing sandals and the local wraps known as longyis. All guestrooms are decorated with local art and antiques while fresh-cut flowers, from white orchids and jasmine to yellow ginger, brighten the rooms.

Perhaps The Strand's greatest asset though is its location, right in the heart of Yangon, a city with a welcoming sense of old Asia – a beguiling mix of past and present, of British colonialism and Myanmar Buddhism

To celebrate their centenary The Strand is organising monthly special events and discounts. Contact Exotissimo Myanmar for up to date information on how to treat your clients with a stay at this historical Asian landmark or at least a visit for "High Tea" in the afternoon.

IN BRIEF

ASEAN members join forces to boost tourism promotion

ASEAN members plan to work together to step up negotiations for liberalising services in a bid to bolster regional tourism. It was agreed at the recent ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei to strengthen co-operation across the region. ASEAN members played host to 37.53 million foreign tourists last year, an increase of 9.5 per cent over 1999. Vietnam turned in the strongest growth, with a 20 percent yearly increase.

Visa-free tourism plan put forward

Visa–free entry for tourists holding passports from countries considered key markets for overseas visitors to Vietnam is being discussed by relevant ministries, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. A pilot scheme may first exempt citizens of Japan and France, the countries which send the most tourists to Vietnam, from needing a tourist visa for a stay of up to 15 days. Tourism chiefs in Vietnam hope 2001 will bring at least 2.2 million international visitors, a 15 per cent annual increase.

National Museum opens on Monday

Good news for the future visitors to Cambodia who happen to have their 2 day stop in Phnom Penh fall on a Monday. The National Museum has decided to change its opening days and will be open on Mondays from now on. The new opening hours are 8am to 1130am and 2pm to 5pm daily.

Exotissimo Laos coming soon

Plans are under way to open an Exotissimo office in Vientiane in the coming months to cater for the growing number of tour operators now offering Laos in their brochures. Although Exotissimo has been selling tours in Laos for many years it has always been difficult to guarantee the same high level of service we offer in Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. With the opening of Exotissimo Laos we will soon be able to expand our programmes in Laos and confidently promote this truly wonderful new destination.

Exotissimo Travel Myanmar

#0303, Sakura Tower,

339 Bo Gyoke Aung San Street

Kyautada Township, Yangon, MYANMAR

Tel : (95 1) 255 266

Fax: (95 1) 255 428

E-mail: myanmar@exotissimo.com

Exotissimo Travel Vietnam

Saigon Trade Center

37 Ton Duc Thang Street, Q.1

Ho Chi Minh City, VIETNAM

Tel : (84 8) 825 1723