CNI News
18 August 2023
Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival and Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held again this year, according to Shan State Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.
The Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival and Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival have not been held for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
These festivals will be re-held so that domestic travellers can re-enter, said U Htin Aung Naing, director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism of the Shan State, to CNI News.
Inle Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
" We weren't able to hold the Inle Phaung Daw Oo Festival before the Covid-19 pandemic and during the Covid-19. But this year, we will re-hold this festival. In the same way, Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be re-held. Although the festival was held last year, to tell you the truth, we weren't able to fully hold it. It was just for one day. We weren't able to send many hot air balloons up in the sky. Fireworks also were not involved. We will hold the festival for five days like before with fireworks. Our main intention is to make lots of domestic travellers come to the festival. We are performing the festival to be more attractive."he said.
The ceremony of Phaung Daw Oo Buddhist images' procession to receive respect and veneration that has been suspended for three years since the Covid-19 pandemic started will be held from 15th October to 1st November. Moreover, Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held from 21st November, 2023 to 27th November, 2023 reportedly.
As there is no territorial stability at present, it is necessary to be stable and most hotels in Shan State have suspended their services. Besides, the number of hotel staff is not sufficient for the time being.
A hotel at the Inle Lake
So, There would be a challenge in service if a lot of travellers came, said U Thet Lwin Toe, managing director of the Myanmar Voyages International Tourism to CNI News.
"Because it's been repeated only after over 3 years, Myanmar tourists will surely come, but regional peace is also important. There are many hotels tha8t have been closed in Inle. About 80 percent have been closed. In this open season we pray that every hotel can reopen and be busy. If the guests come, we need to give them full service. To the best of my knowledge, many staff have already resigned. They have changed careers. Some of them have gone abroad to work. So, We might need a lot of hotel staff. If the guests really come, we need to have good service quality. But We can't provide this at once. This might be a challenge for the tourism world." he said.
The State Administration Council led and held the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Hot Air Balloon Festival on 7th November for one day only last year.
This year, many different kinds of hot air balloons including animal shaped ones and The detailed programs will be released only when it draws near to hold the festival reportedly.
