CNI News
17 Mar 2023
A large number of bookings have been made by domestic travelers at hotels in Shan State for the upcoming Thingyan Festival, the Ministry of hotels and tourism in Shan State and hoteliers told the CNI.
Hotels in Kalaw, Taunggyi, Kyaukme, Lashio, Muse and Laukkai have recently received bookings while some large hotels have been fully booked, according to them.
A floating water festival in Nyaungshwe-Inlay in Shan State (South).
Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI, "Most of them are coming to Shan State for Thingyan Festival. There are also some businessmen who visit Shan State to study economic opportunities during their holidays as they heard businesses thrive in Shan State. As demand exceeds supply, they have to book hotel rooms in advance. Otherwise, they will encounter difficulties. In the past, no one booked rooms in advance. However, there were visitors during Thingyan Festival. Last year, there were only a few visitors on the first and second days of the festival but the number of them increased later. Now, they are making bookings in advance."
In the 2022 Thingyan Festival, only about 5,000 travelers visited Shan State (North) and it is expected that more people will visit northern Shan State this year.
Authorities are planning to build pavilions, walking water festivals and other arrangements for the festival, Deputy Director U Sithu Kyaw of Shan State Hotels and Tourism Department told the CNI.
A floating water festival in Nyaungshwe-Inlay in Shan State (South).
He said, "We will have to wait and see the situation this year because it was said that plans were underway to organize floating water festival in Inlay in Nyaungshwe and to build pavilions in Taunggyi. When the plans are publicly announced, there will be changes. If other activities are also added, the situation will change. It was said that authorities were planning to organize the festival on a grand scale. I am not certain about the arrangements. However, hotels with good image and reputation have been fully booked. We are thinking about attracting overnight visitors to Nyaungshwe. "
Hoteliers are required to provide better services and security measures for their guests during the festival.
Hotels at beaches have also been fully booked for the festival while hotels Bagan have received many bookings.
