PING LONG - Myanmar Travel and Tour Agent Information

ADVENTURE travel and eco-tourism are set to boom in remote northern Myanmar, based around the town of Putao, and the government is keen to assist the development of the region, said a tourism official.

"But to successfully draw on Putao's full tourism potential, all key players must participate in building and maintaining eco-tourism features. This must involve not only the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism but also all ministries, private tour companies, hotels, business people and guides," he said.

"Located in the far north of Myanmar and possessing pristine nature with snow-capped mountain ranges, Putao has a huge potential for eco-tourism," said the Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt in an address at a meeting in Putao late last December.

Unspoilt wilderness and national parks attract trekkers, hikers and nature lovers. Snow-covered mountains - including Myanmar's tallest mountains, Khakaborazi and Phonekan - have the potential to attract mountaineers and skiers, a market as yet untapped in Myanmar.

Last December two Germans, one of whom owns Myanmar Bavarain Travels, investigated the possibilities of skiing on the 4300-metre-high slopes of the region's Mount Phangram.

Another virtually untapped market is the white-water rafting and kayaking market. Last year a team of kayakers and rafters, comprise of six foreigners from Australia, United Kingdom, USA and South Africa, explored the rivers in the area.

Other attractions in northern Myanmar included part of the infamous World War II-era Burma Road, Myanmar's longest rope suspension bridge, jungle regions, remnants of the British colonial era and remote hill tribe villagers.