Friday 10 May 2013

Tourists to Inle region surge 50 percent

The number of international tourists visiting Inle region of Myanmar has surged about 50 percent this year, according to an executive of Myanmar Hotelier Association.


Aung Kyaw Moe, General Secretary for Taunggyi Zone, said the fiscal year 2012-2013 has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of tourists to Inle region, compared to 2011-2012.

“Now is the off-peak season of tourism [in Myanmar]. Still, we can see visitors here unlike the past years,” he said.

Inle Lake is located in Nyaungshwe township of Southern Shan State. Next to the ancient Bagan city, which is an archaeological wonder of the world, Inle Lake is the most famous tourist site in Myanmar.

Tourists are usually fascinated with the natural beauty of Inle region and wondrous sight of those indigenous people who row boats with their legs. They enjoy looking around the area for unique handicrafts in each village as well as the intriguing local traditions and culture.

Aung Kyaw Win, a tour guide, said a few tourists used to visit Inle Lake in April and May, but this year he has seen many tourists in the area. Anna, a Chinese tourist in Inle, said, “This is the first time for me. It is a really interesting trip.”

Most of the Western tourists to Inle are the French and most Asian the Korean and Japanese.

“I have chosen the holiday trip here as I am very interested in the fishermen and floating villages in the lake. This is my first trip here. Although the water level dropped this year, I enjoy the place. After this place, I love Bagan,” Bluno Allier Cleire Salvan, a French tourist, said.

“Inle is a very beautiful place. Farming on the floating islands in the lake is really wonderful. It is beautiful and successful. Here the native people are sweet and hospitable towards the tourists. In fact, we have seen such people not only here but also along our trip in this country,” another French tourist Cathy Rondepierre said.

source: Eleven Myanmar

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