Tourism in Myanmar explained

Tourism in Myanmar (also known as Burma) is a developing sector. As at 2023, new tourist visa applications resume.[1] Although Myanmar possesses tourist potential, much of the industry remains to be developed. The number of visitors to Burma is small compared to its neighbouring countries. This is primarily due to its political situation. However, after the junta transferred power to the civilian government, the tourism sector saw an increase in tourism arrivals, and in 2012, tourist arrivals surpassed the one million mark for the first time. In 2013, the Tourism Master Plan was created, targeting 7.5 million arrivals by 2020.[2]

Tourism has been developed mainly by Myanmar's government, which has encouraged tourism since 1992. Private enterprises also exist, catering to a wide range of tourists.

In 2010, 791,505 foreign tourists visited Myanmar, with 295,174 foreign tourists entering the country via Yangon International Airport.[3] By 2012, more than 1 million foreign tourists visited Myanmar. In 2013, the number of foreign arrivals reached more than 2.04 million, counting both air and overland arrivals.[2]

Tourism has been promoted by advocacy groups as a method of providing economic benefit to Burmese civilians, and to avoid isolating the country from the rest of the world. Voices for Burma, a pro-democracy advocate group, states, "We believe that small-scale, responsible tourism can create more benefits than harm. So long as tourists are fully aware of the situation and take steps to maximise their positive impact and minimise the negatives, we feel their visit can be beneficial overall. Responsible tourists can help Burma primarily by bringing money to local communities and small businesses, and by raising awareness of the situation worldwide."[4]

A former Burmese tourism minister estimated that 12% of the government revenues are derived from tourism, with the tourism industry contributing US$182 million (2007) to the government's annual budget.[5]

In March 2020, Myanmar has closed its borders to international tourists as a measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7] Furthermore, following the 2021 coup, the country became increasingly isolated. Large-scale protests and escalating acts of violence have inflicted significant damage upon Myanmar's economy, including the tourism sector, which has been pushed into a state of decline.[8] [9] [10]

The country reopened to international flights on April 17, 2022, given the decrease in infection cases and the reopening of neighboring countries. In a statement issued by the committee, the decision to reopen aims to boost the tourism sector and provide favorable conditions for visitors to come and explore Myanmar.[11] [12] [13]

Statistics

In the 2010–2011 fiscal year, tourists comprised 73.84% (313,127 arrivals) of overseas visitors, primarily entering the country by air, representing 69.26% of arrivals, followed by land and sea, which represented 29.97% and 0.77% of arrivals respectively.[14] An additional 110,914 visitors arrived through other visa types and represented an additional 26.16% of the total.[14] In 2012, revenues from tourism jumped to over $534 million in 2012, up from $315 million in 2011.[15] [16]

Recent data reveals that in 2016, Myanmar welcomed only 2.9 million tourists, marking a 38% decrease compared to the previous year (4.7 million visitors in 2015).[17] According to Rogers, the rosy projections about tourism potential led to significant investments in hotel construction. Data from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism indicates that within a span of five years (up until 2015), 1,300 hotels were built in Myanmar, with foreign businesses collectively investing $2.7 billion in hotel ventures.[18] [19] [20]

General trends

International tourist arrivals to Yangon Entry Point, Mandalay & Bagan Gateways, Nay Pyi Taw Gateway and Border Tourism.[21]

Year Tourist arrivals % Change
2022 233,487 78%
2021 130,947 86%
2020 903,343 79%
2019 4,346,101 22%
2018 3,551,428 3%
2017 3,443,133 18%
2016 2,907,207 38%
2015 4,681,020 52%
2014 3,081,412 51%
2013 2,044,307 93%
2012 1,058,995 30%
2011 816,369 3%
2010 791,505 4%
2009 762,547 4%
2008 731,230 2%

Tourists by nationality

The governmental statistics body, the Central Statistical Organization, reported more than 3,000,000 travellers flocked to Myanmar in 2014, compared with approximately 816,000 visitors in 2011. Among these, 1,022,081 tourist arrivals (excluding visitors under special entry visas such as social or business visas) were via Yangon International Airport.[22] [23]

Most visitors arriving to Myanmar on short-term basis were from the following countries of nationality:[24]

Country 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
749,719 333,085212,642183,886 147,977 125,609 90,550 70,805 62,018
273,157 291,231273,889243,443 204,539 198,229 139,770 94,342 61,696
125,706 104,376101,484100,084 90,312 83,434 68,671 47,690 21,321
111,794 72,85265,82964,397 63,715 58,472 54,934 34,805 22,524
66,757 65,05773,08576,502 69,015 62,631 53,653 37,589 21,680
57,890 58,65761,85950,198 45,125 47,692 39,140 26,296 15,391
52,567 53,32958,91948,869
44,703 47,63247,01043,931 40,852 46,534 39,758 30,499 23,287
48,400 43,28141,62338,537 34,638 32,306 21,042 16,868 12,318
42,508 43,21858,36952,304 47,235 41,453 35,462 30,064 19,414
33,857 36,60947,71751,051 45,120 40,921 33,203 24,296 11,056
29,447 28,83839,95239,044 35,727 32,265 27,712 23,063 14,006
25,867 27,96232,62834,010 30,820 29,175 11,728 18,261 10,415
19,121 16,85518,24217,969 14,821 12,613 11,728 10,830 9,710
17,398 16,74818,14316,421
13,589 11,31513,55812,765
11,050 11,06514,06815,024 14,051 12,268 8,975 6,485 3,685
9,257 10,01913,55813,69413,897
9,500 9,42813,950
32,005 7,183
39,374 35,685

Tourist attractions

The most popular available tourist destinations in Myanmar include big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay; religious sites in Mon State, Pindaya, Bago and Hpa-An; nature trails in Inle Lake, Kalaw, Kengtung, Putao, Pyin Oo Lwin, also known as Maymyo; ancient cities such as Bagan and Mrauk-U; as well as beaches in Nabule Ngapali, Maungmagan Ngwe-Saung, Mergui.[25]

Kachin State

Yangon

Mandalay

Mon State

Rakhine State

Shan State

Other beaches

Ecotourism

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Foreign travel advice Myanmar (Burma) . . 1 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Amid Burma Tourism Boom, Calls for Govt to Aid Development. 6 January 2014. 9 January 2014.
  3. News: Myanmar continues efforts in developing tourism. https://web.archive.org/web/20110603201418/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/01/c_13905950.htm . dead . 3 June 2011 . Feng. Yingqiu. 1 June 2011. Xinhua. 16 July 2011.
  4. Voices For Burma's tourism policy http://www.voicesforburma.org/
  5. March 2011. Report on Tourism in Burma. Info Birmanie. 16 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120105214454/http://www.info-birmanie.org/web/images/stories/TOURISM_REPORT_IB_June2011.pdf. 5 January 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  6. Web site: VTV . BAO DIEN TU . 2020-08-28 . Số ca mắc COVID-19 tăng, Myanmar đóng cửa trường học trên toàn quốc . 2023-08-16 . BAO DIEN TU VTV . vi.
  7. Web site: 2020-03-17 . Đông – Nam Á trong đại dịch Covid-19 . 2023-08-16 . Báo Nhân Dân điện tử . vi.
  8. Web site: Myanmar mở cửa cho khách quốc tế . 2023-08-16 . bvhttdl.gov.vn . vi.
  9. Web site: 2021-02-07 . Biểu tình lớn nhất tại Myanmar trong hơn một thập niên . 2023-08-16 . BBC News Tiếng Việt . vi.
  10. Web site: 2021-03-15 . Thiết quân luật được mở rộng sau ngày đẫm máu ở Myanmar . 2023-08-16 . BBC News Tiếng Việt . vi.
  11. Web site: VnExpress . 3 quốc gia châu Á vẫn kiểm dịch Covid-19 với khách du lịch . 2023-08-16 . vnexpress.net . vi.
  12. Web site: VTV . BAO DIEN TU . 2022-03-19 . Myanmar mở cửa đón du khách quốc tế từ ngày 17/4 . 2023-08-16 . BAO DIEN TU VTV . vi.
  13. Web site: Myanmar mở lại sân bay quốc tế Yangon sau hai năm . 2023-08-16 . caa.gov.vn.
  14. Web site: Table 29.OVERSEAS VISITORS . Central Statistical Organization. Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. 16 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007002928/http://www.csostat.gov.mm/S29MA02.asp. 7 October 2011. dead. dmy-all.
  15. News: Tourist income surges 70% in Myanmar. Investvine.com. 25 January 2013. 5 February 2013.
  16. Web site: Myanmar tours . 2023-08-16 . www.myanmartours.net.
  17. Web site: thanhnien.vn . 2017-07-09 . Du lịch Myanmar ế ẩm . 2023-08-16 . thanhnien.vn . vi.
  18. Web site: Giấc mơ du lịch của Myanmar đang phai nhạt? .
  19. Web site: Myanmar Tours . 2023-08-16 . www.myanmartours.net.
  20. Web site: ONLINE . TUOI TRE . 2022-08-08 . Hướng dẫn mới về việc xin thị thực du lịch Myanmar . 2023-08-16 . TUOI TRE ONLINE . vi.
  21. Web site: Tourism of Myanmar .
  22. Web site: Myanmar Tourism Statistics 2014. Central Statistical Organization. Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. 5 January 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160114224048/http://www.myanmartourism.org/images/tourism-statistics/2014.pdf. 14 January 2016. dmy-all.
  23. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161229161735/http://www.myanmartourism.org/images/tourism-statistics/2015.pdf . 29 December 2016 . dmy-all .
  24. Web site: Myanmar Tourism Statistics. Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
  25. Web site: Myanmar Travel Agency . Tourist Destinations . birma.com . 20 October 2013.
  26. Web site: Kalaw travel Myanmar (Burma). Planet. Lonely. Lonely Planet. en. 2019-05-07.
  27. Web site: THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Kalaw - 2019 (with Photos) - TripAdvisor. www.tripadvisor.com. en. 2019-05-07.
  28. Web site: Kalaw information. Go-Myanmar.com. en. 2019-05-07.
  29. Web site: Shan State – Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Myanmar . en-US. 2019-05-07.
  30. News: A Three-Day Trek in the Highlands of Myanmar. Dunham. Jillian. 2015-12-16. The New York Times. 2019-05-07. en-US. 0362-4331.
  31. Web site: TripAdvisor: Read Reviews, Compare Prices & Book. TripAdvisor. en. 2019-05-07.