Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, is shedding its pariah image after a brutal, decades-long military rule that sparked a tourism boycott. The country's sudden popularity has created a run on hotels, higher room rates and waiting lists for flights.

Pro-democracy crusader Aun San Suu Kyi's win of a parlimentary seat in elections over the weekend may further fuel demand. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and former political prisoner had endorsed the travel boycott, which was lifted last year with Sui Kyi's blessings, in light of promised reforms by Myanmar's ruling generals as per an AP report.

Tourist arrivals rose by 20% in 2011, according to the Myanmar Times, though the 816,000 tally is dwarfed by the 19 million tourists who visited neighboring Thailand.

A number of U.S.-based tour operators are for the first time offering tours to the once-reclusive nation. Demand forOverseas Adventure Travel's Burma tours is so great, the Boston-based company has increased its 2012 departures from 40 to 61 and is hoping to schedule more.

Similarly, Intrepid Travel began taking bookings for its Burma trips in November and sold out by late February. The Australia-based operator added additional departures and has availability.

The tourist track appears to have changed little. Itineraries include Yangon (the capital once known as Rangoon); Mandalay, the nation's second largest city; Bagan (nee Pagan), site of thousands of ancient temples; and Inle Lake. Visitors typically fly between locales because of limited road infrastructure.

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