CNI News
10 February 2024
Due to rising fuel prices, travel expenses of domestic and foreign tourists have increased from 10 to 20 percent, U Naung Naung Han, chairman of Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.
When the fuel prices increased again after the tours had been sold, because tourism industries could no longer ask for more money from tourists, the tourism industries were finding it difficult, he said.
" We have to calculate the prices in advance. Prices have to be calculated 6 months or one year in advance. But As the fuel prices have risen. Car rental prices have also gone up a lot. So, prices have been high in tourism. Especially in the rural areas, the availability of fuel is not certain in some places. Car rental prices have to be estimated." said U Naung Naung Han to CNI News.
At present, due to not only high prices of fuel but also unavailability of the fuel in some places, prices of hotel rooms have gone up because generators have to be used for electricity and a hotel room whose price was 50,000 kyats in the past has been 70,000 kyats now reportedly.
While seeing tourists at the beach
As few tourists enter the regions where battles are breaking out, salaries are reduced to half on the basis of working 10 days and taking 10 days off, according to hotel operators.
So, as there are more and more people traveling in groups with their own plans, the development of tourism has declined, tourism and hotel entrepreneurs review.
Because of the Chinese New Year when there are few tourists who come back home, hotel industries in northern Shan State where battles are taking place are allowing tourists to stay, reducing prices, U Zaw Zaw, Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.
While seeing tourists on the U Bein Bridge
" In our northern Shan State, we can buy fuel, but it's more expensive. the price is 3,000 kyats a liter. A high price like that can damage the tourism to an extent. In fact, if the fuel prices decline, car rental fees will decrease and then more and more tourists will travel. At present, tourism has dropped quite a bit. It can damage a lot in the long run." he said.
If the relevant ministry designates a quota of fuel for tourism, the tourism sector is likely to rise again, tourism and hotel operators review.
Although local tourists are going to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and beach areas at present, there has been a decline in the number of tourists.
However, domestic tourism may rise slightly in the end of February and in March, according to Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.
