Khiri Travel Myanmar has announced that its joint venture partner in Myanmar, Edwin Briels, has stepped back from the partnership after nine years.

Briels said that the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for the decision. “I want to continue telling unique stories of Myanmar and creating experiences with niche products such as Lalay Lodge, biking adventures and others,” he said.

Following Briels’s exit, Khiri Travel Myanmar will restructure and will continue to provide B2B travel services to clients as before.

Since 2011, Khiri Travel Myanmar has been a joint venture between Briels, Aung Min Thein and Khiri Travel Ltd. Khiri Travel in Myanmar will now adjust internally while continuing to provide a full range of DMC services in the country.

Khiri Travel CEO Herman Hoven said that the company would ensure that any bookings tour operators and clients have with Khiri will be fulfilled, or postponed due to Covid without cost penalty, should this be needed.

“Khiri Travel Myanmar is very much open, ready and looking forward to once again delivering signature Myanmar experiences to travellers when international travel returns,” said Hoven.

He added: “We wish Edwin all the best. We will continue to work with him on occasional projects. We thank him for a terrific nine years and wish him every success in his new ventures.”

Prior to Covid, Khiri Travel Myanmar had more than 30 staff and handled over 3000 visitors in 2019.