Myanmar is starting to experience a tourism boom and is rushing to complete a master plan to guide sustainable development over the next decade.
Myanmar’s tourism industry has no time to lose
in its quest to ensure sustainability at a time when foreign travellers
are flocking to the country in unprecedented numbers.
The government, the local private sector and foreign investors all
need to do their part to ensure that the country can support fast-rising
demand without harming communities and the environment, say tourism
experts.
In the two years since the country started opening up to the world
community and pursuing democratic reforms, the growth of tourism has
been one of the most visible signs of change. Foreigners who had been
reluctant to visit Myanmar when the military junta was in charge are now
clamouring to explore a long-isolated country known for pristine
nature, attractive historical sites and fascinating historical and
cultural traditions.
While Myanmar is a latecomer to tourism development compared with its
regional peers, it has a valuable opportunity to learn from both the
successes and failures of others. There is hope that it will be able to
promote the right kind of tourism.
The country is now working on its first Tourism Master Plan, which
considers a number of factors, including the balance of demand and
supply, human resource development, and environmental preservation. The
government will have the responsibility of setting goals to build a
strong and healthy industry, which also has the potential to generate
substantial revenue for the country.
The master plan, supported by the Norwegian government and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), will soon be forwarded to the government for
approval.
Projections in the first draft of the plan underline the challenges
ahead. It forecasts foreign tourist arrivals will reach 9 million by
2020, compared with just over one million last year.
Paul Rogers, team leader of the master plan project, said the team
recommended that the tourism sector be open to a wide range of
businesses, adding that funding is needed for different projects.
His team came up with six strategies covering all key areas of the
tourism industry. On the policy front, it recommends the establishment
of a tourism executive coordination board to set the overall direction.
This board would receive advice and support from international
organisations such as the UN World Tourism Organisation, the World
Travel and Tourism Council, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata)
and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
As well, a regulatory body is recommended to develop the tourism
planning framework and streamline hotel licensing to control the supply
as well as quality of services.
Also critical will be connectivity and tourism infrastructure. An
improved transport system will be needed, from airlines to land
transport from border crossings and even taxis, making the country more
accessible.
Building human resources is also a priority over the next decade of
development, as is the engagement of local people with the tourism
industry.
Finally, the image of Myanmar tourism needs to be clarified at an
early stage and publicised worldwide. The government is being encouraged
to consider what kind of perception and image it would like foreign
tourists to have of the country.
“The image of Myanmar abroad needs to be discussed. All of these
strategies are urgent and we don’t have much time to lose,” Mr Rogers
said recently during the Myanmar Hospitality and Tourism Conference 2013
in Yangon.
Arild Molstad, a tourism expert and director for project development
with Partnership For Change, said the Master Plan right now was just a
piece of paper and needed to be turned into reality. He hopes the donor
community will support its execution or provide recommendations. He is
concerned that local political issues might get in the way of carrying
out the plan but he hopes this will not be the case.
“I agree with Mr Rogers that there is no time to lose for tourism
development in Myanmar. Myanmar is changing and my concern is that if it
takes too long, some problems will be more complicated and difficult to
solve,” said Mr Molstad.
His major concern is the impact on the environment. Inle Lake, for
instance, is an area requiring immediate attention. Already farmers in
the area are using a lot of fertilisers and pesticides to grow crops
including tomatoes, which are distributed nationwide.
“This is unhealthy not only for foreign visitors, but also the farmers themselves and the environment,” he said.
James Reed, CEO of Destination Asia, a destination management
company, recommended the Myanmar government increase taxes charged to
foreign tourists in order to fund the improvement of essential tourism
infrastructure. He has no problem with charging high fees as a way to
control quality of tourists coming to the country.
“Change is due to come, and not all changes are good. This is your
opportunity,” he told government officials attending the seminar. “I beg
you to control the number of tourists and charge expensive taxes on
foreign tourists if you want to save your beautiful nature.”
Mr Reed’s suggestion appeared to have support from the government. “I
agree 100% with this,” said U Htay Aung, Minister of Hotels and
Tourism.
“When you want to control the volume of tourists, this is one thing
we have to do. It is reasonable. The money (from taxes) will go to
community and infrastructure development.”
The ministry earlier expected 10% growth per year for the tourism
industry, but current numbers are already beyond its expectations. The
country last year attracted 1.06 million foreign travellers, an increase
of 30% from 2011. The ministry forecasts arrivals will reach 1.3
million by the end of this year, 1.5 million next year and 2 million in
2015.
“These are our minimum targets and we’re not satisfied with these. We
have to do better and will improve many aspects. For us, tourism will
bring wealth to the country,” said U Htay Aung.
He said the government needed to improve in many areas. The
priorities over the next decade under the Master Plan will be to
increase the capacities of hotel rooms, produce well-trained people to
work in the industry, improve all necessary infrastructure and
facilities, and protect the environment at the same time. Contributions
will be required from international organisations as well as foreign
investors who want to take part in the country’s development.
“I strongly encourage foreign investors to build business here, creating jobs for Myanmar people,” the minister said.
His biggest concern is overdevelopment, resulting in an oversupply in
parts of the market, particularly hotel rooms. The oversupply would
also affect prices and quality of services.
He said environmental protection must be looked at carefully,
especially in specific regions that are being promoted for their tourism
value because of untapped nature and historical significance, such as
Inle Lake and Bagan.
U Htay Aung admitted that the government had a limited budget for
tourism development now but would increase it in the near future. If the
ministry wants more funds for development, it should have a
well-prepared and reasonable plan to convince the parliament to approve
the increase, he added.
source: Bangkok Post
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