CNI News
30 November 2023

About 50,000 tourists entered Shan State during the seven days of Tazaungdaing Festival, an official from the Directorate of Hotel and Tourism, told CNI News.

Tazaungdaing Festival was held in Taunggyi, Shan State from 21st to 27th November and the festival was as crowded as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic. So, it was a good result reportedly.

" 66 percent of the rooms of hotels and guesthouses were full with tourists from 21st to 23rd November. But all the rooms were full with tourists from 24th to 27th November. It was not only in Taunggyi but also in Kalaw. But 50 percent of the rooms in Nyaung Shwe were full with tourists. On 26th and 27th November, the entire field of the festival was as crowded as it was before the Covid-19 pandemic." said an official from the directorate of hotel and tourism.

Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Festival was not held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival was held only from 7th to 9th November.

While overlooking the balloon launches at the 1385 Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Balloon Festival from Awaiyargon Thayagon

The number of tourists who entered the Bagan ancient culture area was low during the Tazaungdaing holiday last year.

Although the number of tourists entered the area was not exactly known, this year's tourist arrivals have increased more than last year, according to an official from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum in Bagan.

Although the number of tourists who arrived in beach areas decreased a bit due to cancellation of hotel bookings,  tourist arrivals increase than last year.

Tourism and hotel operators expected tourist arrivals would increase during the Tazaungdaing Festival this year. However, because there were cancellations of trips due to territorial instabilities, tourist arrivals were fewer than expected, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

1385 Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Balloon Festival was crowded with visitors

" Tourist arrivals decreased a lot. There were many domestic tours planned. Cars were rented in advance. But almost all the trips were cancelled. Preparations haven't made a lot for the Christmas and New Year. The problems with trip cancellations are still being solved. Some tourism companies lost a lot and so did hotels. Some tourism companies paid advanced money. But the trips were cancelled." he said.

Hotel bookings have not been made for the coming December holiday for the time being reportedly. Tourists can go to Chaungtha, Ngwe Saung, Bagan, Taunggyi, Kalaw and Mandalay only during the December holiday, said U Naung Naung Han.

The number of foreign tourists enters Myanmar through Thailand is 100 to 200 and tourist arrivals from China and India increased a bit reportedly.