CNI News
13 Oct 2022
More than 10,000 guests visited Chaungtha and Ngapali beaches during the Thadingyut Holiday and Chaungtha beach received the largest number of tourists, according to statistics released by the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.
Chaungtha beach greeted a total of 10,201 holiday makers including 3,022 guests on 8th, 3,142 guests on 9th, 1,794 guests on 10th and 2,243 guests on 11th October.
Therefore, compared with the statistics in 2021, the number of tourists increased this year, Staff Officer U Naing Aung of the Chaungtha Branch of the DHT told the CNI.
Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.
He said, “Last year, the beach welcomed 1,976 people on the first day, 1,961 people on the second day and 1,139 people on the third day of the holiday. Compared with the statistics last year, we received more visitors this year. Normally, about 1,000 people visit the beach on weekends and on weekdays, there are about 400 or 500 visitors to the beach. It takes about five hours to travel from Yangon to Pathein. It is a short trip compared to other destinations. People from towns in Ayeyarwady Region can even visit the beach on a day return trip. Easy access matters. It is one of the most easily accessible destinations.”
During the period from 7th to 10th October, a total of 24 flights landed at the airport near Ngapali beach, bringing 1,498 domestic tourists and 107 foreign tourists.
Compared with statistics during the Thingyan holiday, the number of tourists dropped during the recent holiday, Director U Tin Tun Aung of Rakhine State DHT told the CNI.
Travelers during the Thadingyut holiday.
He said, “About 48 or 49 percent of hotel rooms were occupied but the number of tourists during the recent holiday was not as many as that during the Thingyan holiday. Most people have to rely on flight to visit the beach. Moreover, Thadingyut is a religious holiday, so more people chose to visit Bagan during the holiday. Tourists visiting here during holiday were people who pursue recreation. Tourists spread to all destinations in the entire country. The situation has improved. The rainy season has not ended in October. So, flights cannot fully be operated at present. When October is over, more flights will be scheduled and more visitors will come to us.”
Among 107 foreign tourists who visited Ngapali beach, there were no Russian tourists and only 26 foreigners with tourist visas visited the beach.
Tour operators have expected that more guests will go to tour destinations during the upcoming Tazaungdaing, Christmas and New Year holidays in November and December.
