Travel Massive Yangon Launches ‘Debut Drinks’

On Thursday 22nd June, two months after the chapter’s creation, the Yangon Chapter held its first event – the ‘Debut Drinks’.

Although Travel Massive was largely unknown in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) prior to the Chapter’s creation – both amongst local Myanmar and expats – the group has seen a steady flow of interest. Motives for joining Travel Massive range from  ‘connecting with start-up travel companies’ and the desire to ‘collaborate and share experiences.’

However what is common to most Chapter members, is the recognition that there was a gap that needed to be filled; a gap where tourism professional and enthusiasts working in Myanmar (formerly Burma) could come together in a relaxed, informal environment to discuss work, travel, and anything else they wished.

The Debut Drinks were held in Father’s Office, a new bar in the centre of Downtown Yangon. In addition to being a good location due to its size, location, and clientele, Father’s Office was an apt spot for the drinks as it embodies the ambitious, can-do attitude that is now sweeping over Yangon, and throughout Myanmar.

After years of isolation, Yangon – once described as ‘the Princess of the East’ – is opening up to the world once more, and plucky, creative entrepreneurs such as Father’s Office owner and GM Hnin Yee Htun (winner of the Myanmore 2017 Entrepreneur Award), are leading the way in stripping off the dowdy clothes of old Yangon and putting on something altogether more hip.

Serving up top-notch cocktails and a killer hot-dog, Father’s Office is opposite the old Secretariat building, where General Aung San – the ‘architect of Burmese Freedom’ – worked before his tragic assassination in 1948. This synergy of heritage and modernity embodies Myanmar Tourism, where travellers are commonly as interested in where Myanmar’s fresh optimism is taking it today, as they are in the ancient pagodas and temples, and crumbling colonial ruins.

About two-dozen people turned up for the event, hailing from Myanmar itself, as well as China, the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland, and Brazil.  Amongst us were tour guides, owners and directors of tour companies, travel consultants, product developers, one sustainability coordinator, hopeful hotel proprietors, those working in marketing, others from tourism related NGOs and think tanks, one from a domestic airline, travel journalists and photographers, and at least one more budding to break into the tourism industry.

Apart from a quick announcement inviting any and all who were interested to apply to become a co-leader of the chapter, and encouraging idea proposals for future events, attendees were left simply to chat and mingle with each other, which they duly did.

It is early days for the Travel Massive Yangon Chapter, but there are high hopes that the Debut Drinks are only the humble start of what promises to be a dynamic and ever-growing group.

Author Bio: Bertie Lawson, Travel Massive Yangon Chapter Leader, lived in Berlin for over 2 years but is now in Yangon, Myanmar, working for a small tour operator, Sampan Travel and in charge of communications and marketing.