CNI News
6 November 2023
Many tourists entered Bagan, Ngwe Saung and Ngapali during Thadingyut holiday, officials from the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism told CNI News.
Over 100,000 tourists entered Bagan and 7,000 tourists, Ngwe Saung during Thadingyut holiday from 28th October to 30th October. Of these tourists, over 500 were foreign tourists reportedly.
Moreover, over 4,000 tourists entered Ngapali and of them, about 70 foreign tourists were included. During Thadingyut holiday in 2022, over 2,000 only entered Ngapali and of them, over 100 foreign tourists were included.
However, the number of foreign tourists who entered Ngapali decreased in comparison with last year and more domestic tourists entered.
While seeing tourists on the beach
" 153 foreigners came last year. We have expected a lot of foreign tourists will come. Now the tourism season starts. The rain is not over yet in October.The next season is the open season, so it's good to travel. A Fan Trip from Russia came here from 28th October to 30th October and 11 people were included in the group. Among these people, travel agents and company owners were included. They really like the nature of water and ground here. Sand and water here are pure. Another thing, If you go into the water when it's cold, the water is warm. They were surprised to know that. They also like the temperature of water." said U Tin Tun Aung, director oif the Directorate of Hotel and Tourism, Rakhine State, to CNI News.
Moreover, Over 200,000 tourists entered the Ngwe Saung Beach from January to October 2022. However, during the same period this year, over 300,000 tourists entered the beach, U Soe Win, assistant director from the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism (Pathein, Ngwe Saung Branch) told CNI News.
Over 5,000 foreign tourists entered Ngwe Saung and The foreign tourists who entered the most were Chinese nationals and Indian, the second and Russian, the third and Japanese, the fourth and Thai nationals, the fifth, he added.
While seeing a night of a full moon day at Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan region
" There were five Thadingyut holidays last year. But this year, just three holidays. 121,704 more people entered than last year during the same period" he said to CNI News.
Moreover, there were a lot of domestic tourists who went to Shan State where hotel room booking was just normal, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (MTEA) told CNI News.
" There are many tourists who come from Yangon in Kalaw and Inle during Thadingyut holiday. Westerners plan their trip 6 months to a year in advance. But Myanmar people plan two weeks or one month in advance. Bookings are made a week or two before the Tazaungdaing holiday and the rooms are often full. Lots of domestic tourists are travelling. Foreign tourists' arrival has improved as well. But a lot of them haven't come here yet. So many domestic tourists seem to come in November and December including Christmas days." said U Naung Naung Han.
Currently, hotel bookings are being made in some areas for the Tazaungdaing holiday reportedly