U Naung Naung Han, general secretary of the Union of Myanmar Travel Association, told Mizzima on 20 October that the Union will be collecting surveys to better help it understand the apparent surge of cancellations in tourist bookings in the wake of the recent bombings.
Estimates of the cancellation rate have been mixed. Businesses have reported that over 10% of tourists bookings have been voided, and they fear it will rise to 30%.
However, the Union is wary of these figures.
“We are getting mixed reports from various booking agencies: some have said that the cancellation rate is increasing, but some have said that it is not,” U Naung Naung Han said. “We cannot say which one is right. We will issue and collect a survey so we can understand what is really going on.”
“The recent [bombings] may have understandably concerned tourists,” he continued, “but I’m sure their concerns will be lessened after the situation is resolved.”
Survey notification letters were sent to member companies on 18 October.
The results of the survey will be submitted to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
“We have to closely observe the conditions of Myanmar tourism,” said Daw Sabei Aung, managing director of Nature Dream Travel & Tour Co., Ltd.
Over 1.06 million tourists visited Myanmar in 2012 and another 1.8 million visitors arrived in 2013. The latter figure was expected to hit 2 million by the end of the year.
source: Mizzima
http://www.mizzima.com/culture/travel-tourism/item/10382
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