Myanmar remains a hit

BANGKOK- Myanmar remains the fastest growing destination in the Greater Mekong area as the country is catching back with years of isolation.  Last year, the country passed for the first time the mark of one million international travellers (it recorded exactly 1.058 million international arrivals). “This year, we are looking for a new record year in total arrivals with probably a growth of 30% to 1.4 million travellers”, indicated Phyu Phyu Mar, Executive Committee Member at the Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board during a media briefing at the TTM.

Government officials estimate that Myanmar could easily reach the three million mark by 2015. However, a target of 2 to 2.5 million travellers would be more realistic. During the first four months of the year, Yangon alone attracted 44% more international visitors than a year earlier with a total of 253,136 foreign tourists compared to 175,930 visits during the same period last year. According to data, 60% of all arrivals are from Asia with Japan being the largest source market.

Meanwhile, Myanmar has to manage booming tourism figures. “It is true that our country lacks the infrastructure and resources to accompany the current boom. Our government works now very hard to speed up development especially in terms of hotels”, added Mrs. Mar. While Bed and Breakfast formula by local people is not seen as an option for now, the government is pushing small private entrepreneurs to build up private hotels throughout the country or upgrade some local properties to match international standards. “They are 77 hotels in construction for now in the country, including 10 hotels in Yangon, which will add some 700 new rooms”, told Mrs. Mar.

More flights have also been allowed into the country while a new airport is now under construction in the Province of Bago, not to far away from Yangon. Only three airports are now opened for international traffic. These are Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, the new capital. They are no other airports which could be international in the near future according to Myanmar Tourism Promotion Board. While new flights are being added almost every month, the question of hotel capacity continues to be like a Damocles sword over foreigners’ heads. The absence of hotel capacities probably explains why Myanmar does also not want to liberalize too rapidly procedures for the visa on arrival. In a bid to lessen the potential effects that a visa-on-arrival could generate if opened to all.

source: Travel Daily News

http://www.traveldailynews.asia/news/article/52527/myanmar-remains-a-hit