CNI News
12 Dec 2022
Offering travel insurance exemptions to tourists who have purchased international insurance should not be limited to Russian nationals, tour entrepreneurs and hoteliers told the CNI.
A Russia-based tour company called on the union minister for Hotels and Tourism to offer insurance exemption to Russian tourists who have already purchased international travel insurance policies.
The union minister promised to hold negotiations with relevant government agencies for the issue.
Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI, "Such kinds of news cannot be covered up. If authorities intend to invite more tourists, they will have to ease restrictions. However, they must ease restrictions for all tourists because the tour industry is working worldwide. The issue depends on the decision of the minister but it is difficult to change the regulation. They should seek our opinions."
Foreign tourists.
Travel insurance is a policy that protects tourists from injuries and deaths during their domestic or foreign trips.
Most foreign tourists have bought international travel insurance policies but they have to buy Myanmar travel insurance policies when they visit the country.
There are criticisms that Myanmar is taking advantage of the regulation to earn foreign exchange, according to tour operators.
Tour entrepreneurs said that the restriction should be eased for every country which has been offered visa exemptions.
Foreign tourists.
A tour entrepreneur said, "Whether tourists from countries which have been offered visa exemption should buy insurance policies is a question because insurance is compulsory when tourists apply for visas. In Thailand, tourists from visa-free countries are required to buy insurance again. It is difficult to say exactly how effective the Myanmar insurance is. In the past, travel insurance was mandatory for tourists, who had to pay a premium of MMK 5 million, which is equal to US$ 1,500 or 2,000 today and will not cover medical charges. Due to such issues, foreign tourists purchase travel insurance policies that can cover their medical charges. It was announced that the country will reopen tourism to the world on World Tourism Day. It is necessary to prove the words with deeds. If authorities believe that tourism can help recover the economy and intend to promote tourism, they should ease restrictions. It is certain that some progress will be achieved."
Premiums for travel insurance of foreign tourists vary depending on how long they stay and they are required to buy one unit (MMK 500,000) to 20 units (MMK 20 million), according to a statement of Myanmar Insurance.
During the period from 6th April to the end of October, Myanmar sold travel insurance policies to about 60,000 foreign tourists, earning US$ 3.8 million, according to Myanmar Insurance.
