Burma is not cheap to travel though

It's been now 3 years that I've been watching the commodity price here in Myanmar that has been rising up. It becomes "expensive nation" despite its poor people. Outsiders especially foreign individual travelers to this Country draw a logic that this poor country must be cheap to roam about. This logic seems not fit well to Burma. (as you think other countries, Cambodia, Laos.. , I might be wrong.)

Of course, I am not speaking of "expensiveness" of Singapore but compare to other Southeast Asian nations, Myanmar is considerably high from street food to hotel rooms. Let's say basic hotel accommodation starts from 20US$ with limited choice. Caution: Don't be surprised if your Lonely Planet doesn't follow the Reality. However Myanmar remains "Charm" in her own way and still unspoiled unique culture to explore (if money not matters most in this regard)

The recent trip with Melbourne, we stopped by Ayetharyar Vineyard on the way to Taunggyi, Capital of Southern Shan State. The German expert who run this winery said "we can't produce enough for domestic consumption" while one of jolly participants in our group asked for "free wine" trade with an article of this wine. This reminds me once "Mr Boris from Le Planteur (a Yangon high-end restaurant) said "their business depends on Burmese consumers, not tourists."

Vineyard from Taunggyi

I am being confused with "why this and why that." It's a guess work and I think it's because (a) "unfavorable foreign exchange rate especially with US$," (b) Foreign cash flow into Myanmar from most lucrative business such as "offshore gas" and "gems stones," (c) pay raise for government staffs, and (d) recent privatization. Hey I'm not an expert in economics, but this is just a guesswork from me just to figure out some.