CNI News
15 Dec 2022
No difference will be made by participating in international tourism fairs due to blackouts and security issues at home, Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "The government can guarantee nothing for us. As the government cannot guarantee security and electricity, nothing will improve even if we promote tourism in other countries. Tourists who do not know the actual situation on the ground will visit Myanmar. We have beaches, forests and cultural heritage. Tourists are likely to visit such places because they are beautiful. However, there are electricity shortages. And who will guarantee the security of tourists? No one will. Even mini-projects with Russia will not be implemented immediately."
Foreign tourists.
Some tour companies in Myanmar are preparing to take part in international tourism fairs in 2023, according to the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association.
The association had taken part in international tourism fairs before the outbreak of COVID-19 and it aims to attract foreign tourists by participating in the fairs, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.
He told CNI, "Tourists tend to visit Myanmar under packages of tour companies. However, most western countries have refused to sell Myanmar packages because of tensions and travel restrictions issued by the US. If we can respond to their questions in person to their satisfaction, they might arrange package tours to our country in 2023. So, we tried to meet with tour operators and companies in other countries.
A member of the security forces in Yangon.
Six Myanmar tour companies are planning to take part in a tourism fair in February, 2023, according to the association.
Other six companies and one airline are also planning to participate in a tourism fair in Russia in March and to sell package tours.
However, the association does not expect a significant increase in tourist arrivals, which are likely to rise gradually, the association said.
Currently, as hoteliers have to use generators due to blackouts and the number of guests is low, they are suffering losses.
