CNI News

14 October 2024

It was necessary to make the world know that Myanmar is a country where tourists can travel to so as not to make Myanmar die out in the global tourism market, U Naung  Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News. 

As airline transport frequency is fewer than the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was difficult for tourists to come to Myanmar because of lack of airlines and of high cost; so, it was necessary to expand airline transport, he said.

" The government needs to relax visas for some countries. Visa on arrival has been granted to several countries on the basis of limitation. If many countries were granted, there could be an increase in the number of tourists who would enter Myanmar. It's necessary to publicize that there are safe trips in Myanmar. Thirdly, international airlines should be invited to expand airline transport." said U Naung Naung Han.

Because foreign tourists found it difficult to get a visa, many countries were granted visa relaxation, it would be convenient, pointed out some people.

While seeing tourists in the Bagan region

At present, nine ASEAN countries except for Malaysia and Russia have been exempted from visa and visa on arrival has been granted to some countries.

However, visas should be relaxed to the countries whose citizens really come to Myanmar, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur, told CNI News.

“Some citizens from Greece, Spain and South America come to Myanmar. These countries have potential. They have to come from very distant places. They don't have Myanmar Embassies in their countries. Some citizens from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Greece and Spain. If possible, these countries should be granted visa on arrival. As Thailand grants visa free to nearly a hundred countries, its tourism industry has progressed a lot." he said.

Over three million foreign tourists entered Myanmar and over one million foreign tourists only came to Myanmar in 2023 through international airports and border gates because of the Covid-19 pandemic and political changes.

However, over 500,000 foreign tourists only entered Myanmar until September this year.