Tourism
From The Report: Myanmar 2015
View in Online Reader

According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism the number of international entrants to Myanmar in 2013 doubled to 2m from the previous year, with data showing that during the first half of 2014 a 40% year-on-year increase in arrivals was also recorded. The government is hoping to channel the industry’s short-term growth into long-term benefits for the country. In June 2013 the ministry unveiled its Tourism Master Plan, which focuses on six main areas including building human resource development, developing quality products and services, and building Myanmar’s brand as a tourist destination. Together with a Tourism Law it was developed to encourage the establishment of sustainable eco-tourism projects countrywide. Myanmar’s rich natural assets and cultural lure have the potential to make the country one of the top tourism destinations in the region. Major upgrades to transport infrastructure as well as hospitality and public services will be necessary to withstand the pressure of the tourism industry on the country’s infrastructure.

This chapter contains interviews with U Htay Aung, Minister of Hotels and Tourism; and Chali Sophonpanich, President, City Realty Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Rapidly increasing visitor numbers are a boon to the sector but threaten to overwhelm limited infrastructure
OBG
plus

White sand beaches and rolling green hills dotted with sacred lakes, golden pagodas and thick jungle cover a culturally diverse and sheltered land that has only just begun opening up to the outside world. Indeed, the tourism sector has been the fastest-growing sector of Myanmar’s economy since the country opened to foreign trade three years ago, though its contribution to GDP remains relatively small in regional terms. In spite of this growth, however, costs are high and the quality and availability…

Interview

U Htay Aung, Minister of Hotels and Tourism: Interview
OBG
plus

Interview: U Htay Aung What infrastructure development priorities have been identified to facilitate travel in Myanmar? U HTAY AUNG: Infrastructure development is one of the most important fundamentals in building the country. To facilitate travel, the government has invited international investors to develop Hanthawaddy International Airport and upgrade Mandalay International Airport. A third facility, Naypyidaw International Airport, has been in operation since 2011 for international and domestic…

Interview

Chali Sophonpanich, Managing Director, Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon: Interview
OBG
plus

Interview: Chali Sophonpanich What risks do hoteliers face in expanding operations in emerging countries such as Myanmar? How can these risks be managed? CHALI SOPHONPANICH: There are three areas of risk, all of which are well handled by leaders of the country, the first of which is political. Myanmar is becoming more settled, as evidenced by the previous and upcoming elections. I believe that the country is moving in a very positive manner. People have freedom of expression, and the government…

Analysis

The Tourism Master Plan brings sector goals into focus
OBG
plus

In June 2013 the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels and Tourism unveiled its Tourism Master Plan, which aims to set clear guidelines for the development of the tourism sector over the next seven years. The government is hoping to channel the industry’s short-term growth into long-term benefits for the country. The master plan, developed with the help of the Norwegian government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a team of consultants, contains an analysis of the country’s tourism assets and provides…

Analysis

International hoteliers are eager to open their doors
OBG
plus

After decades of sluggish growth in the tourism sector, Myanmar’s hotels are now cashing in on the surge of new arrivals, with nightly rates soaring up to five times what they were a decade ago. Furthermore, new entrants are now keen to enter the market, and some of the world’s best-known brands have plans to expand into the country. A Troubled Past In the late 1990s and early 2000s tourists generally avoided Myanmar, viewing it as a hostile nation under military rule. Hoteliers – and indeed…