Tourist arrivals increase by 83 percent in three years

Tourist arrivals in Myanmar increased by 83 percent between October 2010 and October this year, according to Ministry of Hotel and Tourism statistics.

According to the announcement, there were about 800,000 tourist arrivals in 2010 and more than 1.5 million tourists in 2013. The tourists arrived via Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Nay Pyi Taw and border gates.

Tourist arrivals are expected to increase because more airlines and border gates have opened, said Ministry of Hotel and Tourism director Hlaing Oo.

Thailand leads tourist arrivals in Myanmar among Asian countries, followed by Japan, China, South Korea, and Malaysia. Most tourists visiting from European come from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

Most Thais come to Myanmar for vacation and Buddhist pilgrimage visits. Japanese and South Koreans visit Myanmar mostly for business.

The Ministry of Hotel and Tourism expects that 2 million tourists will visit Myanmar this year.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://elevenmyanmar.com/tourism/4133-tourist-arrivals-increase-by-83-percent-in-three-years