Monday 25 November 2013

Myanmar closes in on 2 million trips

YANGON, 21 November 2013: Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism reports tourist arrivals increased 83% since October 2010.

According to the announcement, there were about 800,000 tourist arrivals in 2010 and more than 1.5 million tourists by October this year. The count covered tourist arrivals at Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Nay Pyi Taw and overland border checkpoints.

The country could reach 1.9 million this year, or even touch the 2 million mark, although Yangon has been beset by security scares after two bomb blasts in the capital last month.

The ministry’s director, Hlaing Oo, explained the dramatic increase in tourist arrivals to local press, earlier this week, adding that the way forward was promising.

More airlines are due to fly to tourist destination in the country and more overland checkpoints will be upgraded to allow international visitors to enter the country, he reported.

Last August, Myanmar opened four entry and exit gates on the Myanmar-Thai border, namely Tachileik- Maesai, Myawaddy-Maesot, Tiki-Sunarong and Kawthoung-Ranong.

The country is planning to upgrade the Muse border point with China’s Ruili district as an international checkpoint to boost travel from China.

Thailand is Myanmar’s leading travel supplier, followed by Japan, China, South Korea, and Malaysia. Most tourists visiting from Europe come from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

Thais travel to Myanmar for both business and leisure. Buddhist pilgrimage visits are popular, but business related visits are also very high as Thailand is a leading investor along with China, Japan and South Korea.

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism forecasts 2 million tourists will visit Myanmar this year.

source: TTR Weekly

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