Human rights activists yesterday claimed Abercrombie & Kent, the upmarket travel group, as the latest scalp in the campaign to terminate links with Burma's military dictatorship.
Attention now switches to tobacco group British American Tobacco, which is under pressure from the UK government to announce its withdrawal alongside its financial results today.
P&O, the cruise liner operator, and law firm Freshfields will also be targeted over links with Burma. The country has been plunged into turmoil by the re-arrest of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Abercrombie & Kent said it had stopped "actively promoting" Burma and would not be advertising it in its 2004 brochure.
"The nature of Burma as an off-the-beaten-track destination means those clients enquiring are experienced travellers. They will be aware of the political situation and the controversy surrounding tourism in the region," said Stuart Douglass-Lee, planning director of Abercrombie & Kent.
"Our sales team will, of course, outline A&K's position and will suggest suitable alternative itineraries in the south-east Asia region. However, should a client still insist on visiting Burma, A&K will organise the travel arrangements."
The Burma Campaign UK made the point that other companies which had withdrawn - such as Premier Oil - always dressed up their decisions as purely commercial ones. But they were clear victories for human rights, it claimed.
"This is excellent news," said Anna Roberts, campaigns officer at Burma Campaign UK. "Abercrombie & Kent were one of the last significant tour operators left in Burma. It further isolates Orient Express, Carnival Cruises and Noble Caledonia. We will be stepping up pressure on them to withdraw as well," she added.
Earlier this year Kuoni announced it was ceasing to offer travel connections with Burma. The British government has recently called on all firms to cut their links. Tourists continue to be drawn to sites such as the Mingun Pagoda outside Mandalay.
BAT promised to reconsider its decision to keep a factory near Rangoon after a personal request from the foreign minister, Mike O'Brien.
