Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – Hotels owned by 'Woodland Travels' which are located in major tourist spots in Mandalay Division are being taken over by the company owned by the 'Htoo' family.

The business empire controlled  by Tay Za, believed to have a close rapport with the State  Peace and Development Council (SPDC) top brass, is taking over the ownership of 'Kandawgyi Lodge' in Pyinoolwin Botanical Garden in Mandalay Division and 'Popa Mountain Resort' in Popa from 'Woodland Travels'.

'Htoo' Company is owned by Tay Za who is believed to be close to the Burmese military junta supremo, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, and his family. The US has imposed economic sanctions against the company.

The new branch office of 'Kandawgyi Lodge' is proposed to be opened in Rangoon, but hotel reservations must be made at the hotel directly for the time being.

"I don't know what will happen to 'Popa Mountain Resort'. But the hotel reservation and payments shall be made directly at the hotel," the hotel manager said.

The change in the management of the hotel has not been communicated and advised to tour operators and travel agencies. They come to know about it only when they make hotel reservations.

"We cannot say anything at the moment as our senior management members and boss are out of station. We shall inform the companies by sending advisory letters later," a staff from 'Woodland Travel' told Mizzima.

Woodland Travel was started on 436.96 acres of the Kandawgyi Botanical Garden renovation project as of 2000 in collaboration with the Forest Department.

The 'Kandawgyi Lodge' was built with 10 duplex bungalows. Similarly it built the 'Popa Mountain Resort' in Popa.

An official from the Forest Department told Mizzima that the transfer of the Kandawgyi Botanical Garden project being implemented by 'Woodland Travel' is still being negotiated.

Pyinoolwin botanical garden is the best forest reserve in Burma which with diverse and rare flora and fauna.

According to the Myanmar Tourism Corporation, the botanical garden collected nearly Kyat 8 million entry fees from visitors in the period from 15 December 2006 to the end of October 2007.