CNI News
21 December 2023
Myanmar will conduct a familiarization trip or FAM trip to resolve Chinese misunderstanding of Myanmar to an extent, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.
The FAM trip has been planned to start in January 2024 and the tourism companies in Yunnan Province, Chinese media, influencers and bloggers have been invited, U Aung Aye Han, deputy director of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism told CNI News.
" For the time being, No More Bets film is being shown in China and it has been filmed about online fraud gangs in Myanmar and Cambodia. It's kind of a bit propaganda. Chinese people have been afraid a bit to come to Myanmar. It's not like that. See for yourselves. We have invited Chinese famous influencers, media and bloggers to see the reality when they visit here" he said.
No More Bets film poster
The Chinese film called No More Bets has filmed about online fraud gangs in Myanmar and Cambodia and it was shown for the first time in China on 8th August 2023 and it was terribly popular among the Chinese people.
Due to this film, agitations widely emerged not to go to Myanmar and it damaged the image of Myanmar, Myanmar Consulate General in Nanning told the director of the Office of Foreign Affairs in Guanxijun Autonomous Region.
The Chinese tourists included in the FAM trip will be sent to Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and beach areas to persuade the Chinese tourists more reportedly.
If the FAM trip was really implemented, it would be more convenient, said tourism entrepreneurs and hotel operators.
While welcoming Chinese tourists arriving at Yangon Airport
However, in addition to the destinations known as the image of Myanmar, other destinations also should be sent and shown, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (northern Shan State), told CNI News.
" The trips to beach areas, Bagan, Inle, cities and so on are mainly sent. In my opinion, a tourist who has ever been to a place doesn't want to go there again. So, to persuade tourists any more, we should find places, I think. For example, in the cold season, you should make trips to the icy mountains. There are so beautiful mountains in our country. We have to make mountain trips. If so, it won't be boring." he said.
In the tourism season of the 2023-2024 year, tourist arrivals probably will increase than the last year, which people have estimated and tourist arrivals from abroad will likely increase, said tourism entrepreneurs and hotel operators.
