CNI News
25 Jan 2023
As Chinese tourists have started touring neighbouring countries, they are likely to visit Myanmar soon, according to the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association.
Recently, Chinese authorities have permitted their citizens to travel at home and abroad.
As direct flights between Mandalay and Guangzhou have resumed, Chinese tourists are likely to visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan in large numbers, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "There are a large number of travellers in China. Many Chineses people are enthusiastic about making outbound trips at present. It can be said that there is a great potential for the tourism industry in Myanmar. Chinese tourists have started travelling to neighbouring countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Myanmar will also get its market share and direct flights between Mandalay and Gaungzhou have resumed. Chinese airlines are operating direct flights to Mandalay while the MAI has resumed flights to China. The more flights the airlines operate to and fro China, the more Chinese tourists visit Myanmar. Chinese tourists are interested in Mandalay, jade and shopping. It is not surprising that Chinese tourists are interested in Mandalay bacause security and stability can be guaranteed there. More Chinese tourists will visit Mandalay and Yangon. As Chinese tourists do not stay for long in Myanmar, they do not travel to different destinations and usually visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan in large numbers.
Tourists on U Bein Bridge.
Although about 100,000 Chinese tourists visit Myanmar annually, Chinese tourist arrivals this year are not likely to hit that level because the number of flights between the two countries is still low and border gates have just reopened, according to tour entrepreneurs.
Tens of thausands of Chinese tourists are likely to visit Myanmar this year but it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists Myanmar can handle comfortably, U Naung Naung Han added.
He said, "As we are reopening tourism based on the political situation and healthcare services available in the country, it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists we can handle conveniently. Although China has permitted its citizens to travel at home and abroad, we cannot expect hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists to visit Myanmar this year. For example, a flight can bring only about 150 or 200 passengers. Therefore, only a few thousands of Chinese tourists can visit Myanmar this year and it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists we can handle in terms of healthcare services. If hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists visited Myanmar, we would not be able to provide healthcare services during a health emergency because we don't have sufficient healthcare infrastructure. We still need to prepare for such scenarios."
Foreign tourists.
As only a few tourists from Eruope have visited Myanmar, hotels in Bagan will have to rely on Chinese tourists for about 50 percent of their operations, Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.
He said, "If more flights are scheduled, Chinese tourists will visit Myanmar. As there are only a few European tourists, we will have to rely on Chinese tourists for 50 percent of our operations. Chinese tourists stay in Bagan at least one day. We are making preparations not only for Chinese tourists but also for tourists from other countries. Most hotels in Bagan except those who are still closed are making preparations for foreign tourists."
Chinese tourists accounted for the largest number of tourists in Myanmar but Thai tourists have surpassed them after the outbreak of COVID-19.
Currently, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Myanmar has risen above that of Thailand, according to tour operators.
