“You would be surprised by how useful learning Mandarin can be even outside China!”, one year after he left China, we got some news from Jonathan, a former student of Omeida. He told us about his journey after Yangshuo and explained to us that he and some partners have started an Online Travel agency in Myanmar.
At Omeida we knew Jonathan for his taste of competition and his fascination with Asian cultures, but we were far to expect that he would start an online business in Myanmar, a country where the internet network and electricity fail during working hours and where the rate of internet users is one of the lowest in Asia.
He told us that his project is to propose the most reliable tour and travel portal in Myanmar, with tour packages, updated travel information and the only safe online booking system in Burma, no other travel agency uses Paypal to confirm payments in Myanmar. At the time he wrote to us, two weeks after the launch of his website, he had already 500 likes on Facebook!
“When I traveled to Myanmar for the first time I didn't expect that so many people would speak mandarin, I speak Chinese to bargain in china town, to order food in Chinese restaurants and even with one of my business partners who is half Chinese”.
His website, birma.com looks great and it was pretty easy to find it on Google at the time we searched. It seems that visits are picking up sharply. Ever since the country opened itself to tourism there is a huge growth in Travel and Tours in Myanmar.Tourism in Myanmar is increasing so fast that hotels have difficulties to respond to the demand during peak seasons, there is a shortage of rooms in Burma, so it is wise to book ahead a hassle free tour package via his website if you are planning to visit Myanmar.
We hope at Omeida that our former student will achieve the success that he deserves and wish him luck for all his future endeavors. Perhaps we would see him back for more classes to perfect his Mandarin.